SIBU, 21 May – A furniture warehouse along Jalan Diong Kik narrowly escaped being destroyed in a fire, thanks to the quick response by the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) in Sibu.
The incident, which occurred last night, triggered an emergency response at 10.25pm when flames were spotted near the building. According to JBPM Sibu Zone Chief, Andy Alie, teams from Sungai Merah Fire and Rescue Station and Sibu Sentral BBP were swiftly deployed to the location.
Upon arrival, firefighters found that the fire had started outside the building, under a roofed section that was connected to the main warehouse block.
“The fire affected about 23% of the building area,” said Andy. “The warehouse itself is a two-storey permanent concrete structure, which helped limit the spread.”
Firefighters worked efficiently to prevent the fire from entering the main storage area, which could have led to greater damage, especially considering the high flammability of furniture and wood-based materials stored inside.
During the overhaul stage, a machinery pump used in the operation broke down. Firefighters immediately switched to a transport pump to maintain water supply and complete the extinguishing process.
The Operation Release Team (PKO) also set up safety barriers to secure the area and assist with crowd control. The entire operation concluded successfully by 3.00am without any reported injuries.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire. Residents in the area praised the JBPM team for their quick and professional action, which prevented a potential disaster in the heart of Sibu.
This incident highlights the importance of emergency preparedness and the critical role of local fire brigades in protecting lives and property.
