SIBU – Two houses were destroyed in a fire at Lorong Sentosa 6, Kampung Usahajaya Baru here earlier today, leaving 17 residents homeless but no casualties were reported.
According to the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Operations Centre (PGO), the alarm was raised at 11.13am. A team of nine firefighters, along with a Fire Rescue Tender (FRT) and an Emergency Medical Rescue Service (EMRS) vehicle from the Sibu Sentral Fire and Rescue Station, were immediately dispatched to the scene.
“The fire involved two wooden houses built with impermanent structures. Both were already 100 percent engulfed in flames when the team arrived,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
Firefighters acted quickly, deploying two auxiliary hose lines and extending a 300-foot line with breeching and two nozzles to control the blaze. The operation continued until the fire was fully extinguished.
Preliminary reports confirmed that the houses were occupied by two families consisting of 17 individuals. Fortunately, all the residents managed to escape unhurt before the fire spread further.
Although the incident left the families without shelter and personal belongings, the swift action of the Fire and Rescue Department prevented the flames from spreading to nearby homes in the village.
The cause of the fire and estimated losses are still under investigation.
Local authorities are expected to provide temporary assistance to the affected families while further assessments are carried out. Kampung Usahajaya Baru residents have also stepped forward to offer basic help and shelter to the victims.
This incident adds to the list of recent fire cases in Sarawak, highlighting the vulnerability of wooden structures in villages and settlements. The Fire and Rescue Department continues to remind the public to check electrical wiring and follow safety measures to avoid such tragedies.