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BINTULU: Around 300 residents of Rumah Lapie in Binai, Jalan Ulu Sebauh, have lost their homes after a massive fire destroyed most of their longhouse early this morning. The incident left 27 out of 30 house doors completely burned down, while firefighters managed to save three doors from destruction.
According to the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department’s (JBPM) Operations Centre (PGO), they received an emergency call at 11:09 am. Firefighters from the Bintulu Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) immediately rushed to the location, which is approximately 34 kilometres away from their station.
“Upon arrival, our team acted swiftly using two 400-foot hose lines and five nozzles to douse the flames, utilizing open water sources with the help of a fire department water tanker,” a JBPM spokesperson said.
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The fire was fully contained by 11:50 am, but firemen continued their efforts to ensure no further flare-ups. The longhouse, which had a non-permanent structure and measured approximately 200 x 400 square feet, suffered about 70 percent damage.
An elderly man in his 70s experienced shortness of breath due to the fire and was promptly transported to the hospital by the Fire Department’s Emergency Medical Services (EMRS) Unit for further medical attention. Fortunately, the other residents escaped unharmed, with no serious injuries reported.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire and estimating the total loss incurred. Meanwhile, local welfare organizations and community leaders are expected to step in to provide temporary shelter and assistance to the affected families.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety and emergency preparedness, especially in longhouse communities where fire can spread rapidly.