BINTULU – A fire destroyed eight squatter houses near the Kidurong landfill site this afternoon, leaving 38 residents from seven families homeless.
According to a spokesperson from the Sarawak Operations Centre (PGO), the distress call was received at 2.06pm. A team of firefighters from the Kidurong Fire and Rescue Station (BBP), assisted by personnel from the Bintulu BBP, was immediately dispatched to the scene, which was located about three kilometres away.
“Upon arrival, it was found that the blaze involved eight non-permanent houses which were completely destroyed by fire,” the spokesperson said.
The firefighting team managed to bring the situation under control by 3.00pm, and the operation was officially concluded at 4.25pm.
Investigations revealed that 38 residents were affected by the fire, all belonging to seven families. Authorities reported that some of the affected families were not present at the site during the incident, as most of the occupants were believed to be working at the nearby landfill.
Fortunately, no injuries or loss of life were reported. The fire department is still assessing the total amount of damage and working to identify the cause of the blaze.
Local welfare authorities are expected to assist the displaced families, with temporary shelter and aid arrangements being discussed. The fire has once again highlighted the risks faced by communities living in squatter settlements, where non-permanent structures are highly vulnerable to such incidents.
The investigation into the cause of the fire remains ongoing.
