'I heard my daughter's voice for just 17 seconds': M'sian mum loses 2 daughters, 19 & 14, in house fire

A Malaysian mother's final conversation with her eldest daughter lasted just 17 seconds.

The 19-year-old teen and her younger sister, 14, died in a house fire in Kampung Koh, Sitiawan, Perak, on Oct. 16.

The victims were identified as Kiong Lee Yi, 19, and Kiong Bao Yi, 14, according to Malaysian news outlet Sinar Harian.

Their parents had gone out for breakfast that morning and returned shortly before 9am to find their house engulfed in flames.

Final phone call lasted 17 seconds

According to Oriental Daily, the sisters' mother, Lim Siew Lee, received a call from her eldest daughter while both girls were trapped inside the house.

Lee Yi told her mother that the house was on fire.

Lim urged her to escape with her younger sister, but the call ended after just 17 seconds.

She said she was unsure whether her daughter had heard her instructions before the line went silent.

"The last time I heard my daughter’s voice was only 17 seconds. I will never hear her voice again."

Lim subsequently tried calling her daughter several times but couldn't get through.

Family tried to enter burning house

Speaking to Sinar Harian, the sisters' 50-year-old father, identified as Kiong, said he and his wife tried to enter their home after discovering the fire.

However, the intense heat and flames prevented them from getting inside.

According to Oriental Daily, Kiong also attempted to force open a wooden door at the back of the house.

He said the wooden door at the back of the house could normally be opened by pushing against it, but he was unable to open it that day.

The girls' uncle, who also lived at the property, rushed home from work after learning about the fire.

He also tried to enter the house to rescue his nieces but was unsuccessful, suffering burns to several parts of his body in the process.

Fire brought under control at 10:30am

According to Bernama, the Perak Fire and Rescue Department received an emergency call at 9:01am.

Firefighters from Sitiawan and Seri Manjung, alongside the Pantai Remis Volunteer Fire Brigade, arrived at the scene at 9:10am.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department director Sayani Saidon said the fire affected two adjoining double-storey houses, which were almost 90 per cent destroyed.

The blaze also destroyed three cars and a motorcycle. It is currently unknown as to how the fire started.

Firefighters brought the fire under control at around 10:30am.

The sisters were found in different parts of the house, with one on the upper floor and the other downstairs, Sinar Harian reported.