MUKAH – A fire broke out this morning at Kampung Bedangan Hulu, reducing a row of workers’ quarters to ashes in less than an hour. The incident left eight housing units destroyed, along with a motorcycle and a car, though thankfully no lives were lost.
According to a spokesman from the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Centre (PGO), the department received an emergency call at 10.13am. A team of eight firefighters from the Mukah Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) was immediately dispatched to the scene, located about seven kilometres away.
“The team arrived at the location at 10.21am and discovered that the fire had engulfed a temporary workers’ house measuring 108 feet by 24 feet, consisting of eight doors. Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control by 11.00am, and the extinguishing operation was fully completed at 11.25am,” the spokesman said in a statement today.
Fortunately, all the occupants managed to escape safely without any injuries. Quick response and evacuation efforts ensured that no casualties were recorded.
The fire, however, caused heavy damage. In addition to the total loss of the workers’ quarters, a motorcycle was completely destroyed, while a Perodua Kancil parked nearby was reported to have been 20 percent burnt.
Authorities confirmed that the cause of the fire has yet to be determined, and investigations are ongoing to identify the source of the blaze and assess the total value of the losses.
The incident has raised concern among villagers, as the workers’ houses were part of the local shipping company’s housing facilities. Many residents expressed relief that no lives were harmed but urged authorities to further strengthen fire prevention awareness in rural communities.
The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department reminded the public to practice fire safety at all times and to immediately report any signs of fire to prevent similar losses.