Fire razes longhouse to the ground, leaves over 200 homeless

The height of the flames as it engulfed the longhouse.

SIBU: More than 200 people were left homeless after a fire swept through 24-door Rumah Saba at Sekuau Resettlement Scheme, Mile 28 Sibu-Bintulu Road at about 7am today (April 15).

One of the victims said the fire was believed to have started from the bedroom of the second-door of the longhouse when the owner apparently forgot to extinguish the mosquito repellent coil in the room.

Upon seeing the smoke, the victim alerted the neighbours and together managed to salvage some of their belongings.

Two fire engines from Sungei Merah Fire Station were rushed to the scene to put out the flames.

Unfortunately, there was no fire hydrant in the vicinity and the firemen had no choice but to make use of their own limited water supply to fight the blaze.

The front portion of the longhouse was built with cement and managed to withstand the flames but its interior, including the glass windows, wooden doors and other wooden stands were completely destroyed.

Former Tamin assemblyman Datuk Joseph Mauh and BN-PRS candidate for Tamin, Christopher Gira also visited the scene to offer support and words of consolation to the victims.

Mauh said the victims would be put up at the Civic Hall with money and daily necessities to be provided.

Later, Mauh also announced a grant of RM500 for each door of the longhouse.

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