KANOWIT: Eighty-eight residents were left with nothing but the clothes on their backs after Rh Paulus Yan, a 15-door longhouse in Sungai Bawan, Jalan Nibong Tada, was engulfed by flames on Wednesday (Jan 15).
Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported in the 12pm incident.
The Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said firefighters from the Kanowit station were dispatched to the scene, about 46km away, after receiving a distress call at 12.14pm.
Firefighters from the Sungai Merah station were also deployed to the scene to assist in the operation.
Upon arrival, they found that the longhouse was beyond saving and extinguishing works were carried out using water sourced from a nearby river.
The blaze was brought under control at 2pm and overhaul works were conducted to ensure there is no risk of reignition.
Once the situation was deemed safe, the team ended the operation at 4.50pm.
The cause of the fire and losses incurred are still under investigation.
