By DayakDaily Team
TATAU, Aug 25: A massive blaze destroyed 19 squatter houses at the Seberang Pasar Lama Tatau squatter settlement this morning, leaving a 13-year-old boy with burn injuries and displacing 74 residents.
According to the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Operations Centre (PGO), they received a distress call at 10.08am.
“Tatau Fire and Rescue Station (BBP), assisted by Bintulu BBP, arrived at the scene at 10.20am by boat via Batang Tatau river as the location was inaccessible to fire engines.
“The fire destroyed 17 houses completely, while two others were partially burnt (20 per cent) and had to be demolished to prevent the flames from spreading,” the statement said, TVS reported.
The fire was fully brought under control at 11.06am, and the operation ended at 2.33pm.
Firefighters utilised four water pumps and river water sources as there were no hydrants in the area.
The injured teenager was rushed by members of the public to Tatau Health Clinic for further treatment.
Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire and the estimated losses. — DayakDaily
