MIRI, SARAWAK – A devastating fire broke out in Kampung Melayu Beluru, Bakong last night, leaving a married couple injured and their home completely destroyed.
The house owner, Sahari Sahat, 54, suffered burns on his hands while attempting to put out the fire. His wife also sustained minor injuries. Despite his efforts, the flames engulfed the entire house before firefighters arrived.
According to a spokesperson from the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), they received an emergency call at 9.20pm. A team from Lopeng Fire and Rescue Station was immediately dispatched. However, the fire had already consumed the wooden house before they could arrive.
“The fire was successfully extinguished by villagers before the fire brigade reached the scene,” the JBPM spokesperson said in a statement today.
The distance between the fire station and the affected village, approximately 61 kilometers, posed a challenge in responding swiftly.
After sustaining burns, Sahari was rushed to a nearby clinic by concerned villagers for immediate medical attention. His wife, who was also present during the incident, managed to escape serious injuries.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. However, preliminary findings suggest that it spread rapidly, consuming 100 percent of the wooden structure.
The fire has left Sahari and his wife homeless, with all their belongings turned to ashes. Authorities are urging the public to practice fire safety measures and ensure their homes are equipped with fire extinguishers and smoke detectors.
This tragedy highlights the need for faster emergency response times in rural areas, where fire stations are located far from villages.
