A family of seven in Malaysia narrowly escaped a devastating house fire thanks to the unexpected actions of a cat, whose strange behaviour prompted them to step outside moments before the blaze spread. While the family managed to get out safely, the fire destroyed multiple homes in the village, leaving several residents with nothing but the clothes they were wearing.
The incident occurred at Kampung Solok Wan Moh, where a morning fire quickly escalated and spread to neighbouring houses. By the time emergency services arrived, several homes had already been engulfed in flames, forcing residents to flee with little or no time to save their belongings.
One of the victims, Muhammad Norsham Bibin, later recounted how a cat appeared to play a crucial role in alerting his family to the danger. At the time, he was at home with his wife, Widyawati Niban, and their three children, who were asleep in a bedroom when the incident began.
CAT’S STRANGE BEHAVIOUR DREW FAMILY OUTSIDE
According to Muhammad Norsham, the cat did not belong to his household but was a familiar sight around the area. On that morning, it suddenly entered the house, grabbed a fish from the table, and carried it outside without stopping to eat it.
Initially, the act did not raise any alarm. However, when Muhammad Norsham went outside to retrieve the fish, he noticed thick smoke billowing from a nearby house. It was then that he realised a fire had already broken out next door and was spreading rapidly.
Reflecting on the moment, he said the cat’s behaviour was highly unusual, as it had never taken food from the table before. The act felt deliberate, as though the animal was trying to draw someone out of the house to notice the danger nearby.
FAMILY ESCAPES SAFELY BUT LOSES EVERYTHING
Upon realising the severity of the situation, Muhammad Norsham immediately alerted his wife. The couple quickly woke their children and rushed them out of the house before the fire could reach their home. Although all family members escaped unharmed, they were unable to salvage any of their belongings.
The fire destroyed their Proton Iswara Aeroback, as well as their children’s bicycles, school supplies, and household items. Despite the losses, Muhammad Norsham expressed deep gratitude that his family was safe, crediting the cat for giving them the crucial warning they needed.
Another resident affected by the fire, Mohd Razib Ibrahim, said he only became aware of the incident about 10 minutes after leaving for work. By the time he returned, his house had already been destroyed. He and his wife were left with only the clothes they had worn to work that day.
FIRE ENGULFS MULTIPLE HOUSES IN VILLAGE
Mohd Razib added that there had been an electrical disturbance in his home the night before, though it appeared to have been resolved. Having lived in the village for over two decades, he never expected such an incident to result in such extensive damage.
According to the Fire and Rescue Department, emergency crews were dispatched shortly after receiving a distress call at 8.53am. A total of 19 firefighters were deployed to the scene to contain the blaze.
The fire ultimately affected five houses, with four being completely destroyed. Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire by 9.20am, while the overall operation concluded later in the morning. A vehicle was also destroyed in the blaze, and investigations into the cause of the fire and the total losses remain ongoing.
While the fire left behind severe destruction, the incident has since captured public attention due to the extraordinary role played by the cat — a reminder that even the smallest and most unexpected actions can make the difference between life and tragedy.