Cover image via Chee Heng Kuan (Facebook)
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A Malaysian is being praised for his heroic act of breaking down a fence and entering a burning house to save his elderly neighbours
In a Facebook post on 9 May, social activist Kuan Chee Heng, better known as Uncle Kentang, shared that the fire occurred about two weeks ago and destroyed four houses.
According to Kuan, while others would flee the blaze, a man named Harvinder broke through the back fence of his neighbour's house and ran into the burning property to rescue an elderly couple.
Kuan said Harvinder carried both the elderly man and his wife, who was unable to walk, to safety.
"Thanks, Harvinder. You are a real living hero. Although they don't talk much to each other despite living back-to-back, on that night Harvinder mustered all his strength to tear down the back fence and carried them to safety.
"Not many will dare to do what Harvinder did. We do not know where his strength came from, but he saved two lives that night," Kuan wrote.
He added that the couple's son, who was bedridden and a person with disabilities (OKU), died in the fire
Kuan said that after rescuing them, Harvinder brought the elderly couple to his home, where his family gave them food and drinks while they recovered from the shock.
The couple were later temporarily placed in a hotel until their other children arrived to take over their care.
Kuan wondered why Harvinder's actions were not highlighted in news reports
"No paper highlighted Harvinder's heroic act. Maybe it is unimportant. Maybe it just went unnoticed," he wrote.
However, he said he has decided to share the story after allowing the family some time to grieve, and that he plans to present Harvinder with an award for his bravery.
"I couldn't stand that no one highlighted Harvinder's guts, brute strength, and bravery in saving neighbours he rarely even talks to. He is really our Malaysian hero," he said.
The fire is believed to be the same incident reported in Taman Ehsan, Kepong, where the Fire and Rescue Department received an emergency call at 2.26am on 30 April involving four single-storey terrace houses
Accodring to Harian Metro, the firefighting operation involved 40 personnel before the blaze was brought under control at 4.29am.
Firefighters later discovered the body of a 53-year-old disabled man inside one of the affected homes.
