KAPIT, SARAWAK – A major fire broke out early this morning, destroying almost 80 percent of a three-storey convenience store located along Jalan Airport, here in Kapit.
According to the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), they received a distress call about the blaze at around 2.20am. A team from the Kapit Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) was immediately dispatched to the scene and arrived within four minutes.
Upon arrival, firefighters found the store engulfed in flames, with the fire spreading rapidly from the ground floor to the first floor. The building, which measures 80 by 20 square feet, was already heavily damaged by the time extinguishing efforts began.
JBPM Sarawak’s spokesperson said the firefighting operation was made more difficult as the entrance was blocked by stacked goods inside the premises. Despite the challenges, firefighters managed to conduct both offensive and defensive firefighting using two 200-foot hoses with nozzles aimed at the ground and first floors.
“Crews also took defensive measures from the rear of the building to stop the fire from spreading further,” the spokesperson added.
The blaze was brought under full control at 4.12am, and operations concluded around an hour later after a thorough overhaul was done to ensure no remaining embers could reignite the fire.
Thankfully, no injuries or deaths were reported during the incident.
Authorities are now investigating the cause of the fire, and damage assessments are ongoing.
This incident serves as a stark reminder to business owners to ensure clear access pathways within their shops to avoid delays during emergencies.
