BINTULU, Nov 14 – An early morning fire erupted at a chip storage facility in the Kemena Industrial Estate, Bintulu, today, leaving the semi-permanent structure fully destroyed. The incident, which took place in the quiet hours, prompted an immediate response from the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba).
According to the Bomba Operations Centre, the emergency call was received at 2.13 am, alerting them to the fire. In response, a team from Bomba Bintulu was dispatched to the site, with additional support from Bomba Kidurong to contain the blaze.
Upon arrival, firefighters reported that the storage facility was already engulfed in flames. The operation commander on the scene confirmed that the facility, a vital part of the industrial zone, was 100% destroyed by the fire. The structure, being semi-permanent, faced severe risks that led to rapid damage and complete loss.
Firefighters tapped into a nearby fire hydrant to combat the blaze, putting in extensive effort to control the flames. After nearly two hours of firefighting, the blaze was brought under control by 4.30 am, preventing it from spreading to neighbouring facilities within the industrial estate.
No casualties have been reported, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Authorities are currently assessing the extent of the damage, while the affected facility owners are urged to cooperate with investigators to determine the fire’s origin.
The incident has raised safety concerns among business owners in the Kemena Industrial Estate, especially those dealing with flammable materials and sensitive electronics. In light of this fire, Bomba Sarawak has once again advised all industrial facilities to review fire safety protocols and ensure that preventive measures are in place to minimise the risk of similar incidents.
