BINTULU — Two squatter houses were completely destroyed in a fire incident near the San-San Garden area here this morning, but quick action by the fire brigade prevented the blaze from spreading further.
The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Centre received an emergency call at 11.25am. A team of firefighters from the Bintulu Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) was immediately dispatched to the scene, located about six kilometres away.
According to Operations Commander Mohd Syukri Abdullah, the first fire engine arrived at 11.32am. By then, the flames had already engulfed two non-permanent squatter houses, each measuring about 18 by 20 square feet. Both structures were reported to be 100 per cent destroyed.
“Our team used one auxiliary hose, two 200-foot streams, and two nozzles with water supplied from a mechanical pump. This rapid response successfully prevented the fire from spreading to a third house, which only suffered minor heat damage,” he said in a statement.
The blaze was brought under control within 10 minutes at 11.42am, and the operation was fully concluded at 11.58am. Firefighters also conducted thorough inspections at the site to ensure there were no remaining fire sources and no further risks to the surrounding area.
The operation involved 10 personnel, supported by one Fire Rescue and Response Team (FRT), one Compact Fire Rescue and Response Team (CFRT), and one Emergency Medical Services (EMRS) unit.
Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported in the incident. The cause of the fire and the estimated losses are still under investigation by JBPM.
This latest fire once again highlights the dangers faced by communities living in squatter areas with non-permanent structures, where the risk of rapid fire spread remains high.