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BINTULU, 7 April 2025 — A tragic fire broke out this morning at a squatter area along Jalan Tanjung Kidurong, Sungai Plan, claiming the life of an elderly woman and destroying 16 houses.
The victim, identified as Nuie Ipang, aged 77, was found charred at the scene. According to the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Operations Centre (PGO), they received a distress call at 11.06 am. Firefighters from Kidurong and Bintulu Fire and Rescue Stations were immediately dispatched to the location.
The fire engulfed homes built with non-permanent materials, covering an estimated 300×400 square feet. The blaze spread rapidly due to the structure of the buildings, leaving 92 residents homeless — including 67 adults and 25 children.
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Firefighters worked tirelessly and managed to control the flames by 12.03 pm. Full extinguishing operations were only completed by 2.40 pm.
Officials confirmed that 16 houses were completely destroyed, leaving families to pick up the pieces of their lives. Emergency shelters are being arranged for the victims while the cause of the fire and total losses remain under investigation.
This tragedy serves as a painful reminder of the fire risks faced by communities in squatter areas, where safety measures are often minimal or absent.
Authorities have urged the public to be cautious, especially with open flames and electrical wiring, to prevent similar incidents in the future.