Fire and Rescue Department officers found the victim, identified as Lowest Anak Selin, 62, in a bedroom at Saba Longhouse while clearing up the site.

According to Sarikei fire station chief Suna Kahar, a team immediately went back to the site after the victim’s family members informed them that an elderly occupant was still not accounted for after the fire.

“After scouring the house, we found the victim’s remains at 2.10pm in the bedroom. According to witnesses, the victim had dashed back into the room to salvage his belongings,” he said.

When the fire broke out, 73 of the 96 occupants from 17 families were in the longhouse.

“The body has been handed over to the police and the cause of the fire and losses are being investigated,” said Sunar, adding that the station was alerted about the fire at 10.08am.