Elderly woman suffers burns trying to save disabled cat from house fire in Malaysia
A 70-year-old woman in Kelantan suffered burns after running into her burning home to save her disabled cat, which later died in the blaze. The fire also destroyed two family houses and a coconut milk shop, leaving relatives temporarily homeless.
- A 70-year-old woman sustained burns while rescuing her disabled cat from a house fire in Kampung Periok Hilir.
- The woman’s home and her brother’s nearby property were completely destroyed in the blaze.
- The family lost personal belongings and is now relying on neighbours and relatives for shelter.
KELANTAN, MALAYSIA — A 70-year-old woman suffered burns to her face and shoulder after rushing into a burning house to save her disabled cat during a fire in Kampung Periok Hilir on Monday (13 October 2025) evening.
The woman, identified as Siti Khadijah Mamat, was attempting to rescue her pet cat “Dong,” which had a disabled right hind leg, when flames engulfed the family’s wooden home.
Unfortunately, the cat was later found lifeless amid the charred remains.
A Beloved Pet She Couldn’t Leave Behind
Her daughter, Sonita Mat Ariffin, 40, said her mother had shared a close bond with Dong, which the family had cared for over the past decade.
“My mother tried to go back inside to save her cat, but the neighbours pulled her away just in time. She couldn’t bear to leave it behind,” Sonita told Sinar Harian.
Family Loses Home and Belongings
At the time of the incident, only Siti Khadijah and her 14-year-old grandson, Mohamad Izzul Irfan, were at home.
Both suffered burns and were taken to Tumpat Hospital for treatment.
Sonita said the family lost nearly everything in the blaze, including important documents and personal belongings.
Her eldest son, Mohamad Izzat Izuddin, 18, was set to report for military service in Negeri Sembilan this week, but all his paperwork was destroyed in the fire.
The flames also spread to the nearby home of Siti Khadijah’s brother, who lost his house and coconut milk shop within minutes.
“I was working at my shop when I saw the fire spread from my sister’s house. There was no time to save anything — everything was gone in moments,” he said.
Community Support and Lingering Grief
For now, Sonita’s family is staying with a neighbour, while her uncle and his family have found temporary shelter with relatives.
Despite losing her home, Sonita said her mother remains deeply affected by the loss of Dong. “It wasn’t just a cat — it was part of our family,” she said.
“She risked her life for it, and that shows how much she loved it.”
