RANGOON — The sister and niece of former vice president Dr. Sai Maukkham died in a fire in Muse Township, northern Shan State early on Wednesday morning, according to the former ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).
The blaze at the two-story building, shared with a KBZ mini bank on Union Road, broke out around 2.45 a.m., according to Muse District administrator U Kyaw Kyaw Tun.
Local people said Dr. Sai Maukkham’s sister owned the building.
“The fire department concluded that the fire was caused by a short circuit from Dr. Sai Maukkham’s sister’s side of the building. Both victims died from inhaling smoke,” U Kyaw Kyaw Tun told The Irrawaddy.
The KBZ bank’s senior managing director U Nyo Myint told The Irrawaddy the mini bank received little or no financial damage from the fire, as it only takes cash deposits and does not offer withdrawals.
Dr. Sai Maukkham served as vice president from 2012 to 2016 under President U Thein Sein.
