By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 7: Four double-storey terrace houses were damaged in a fire at Jalan Pisang here today, and one of the affected houses exploded with fireworks during firefighting operations.
According to a report from the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), firefighters from the Batu Lintang station were deployed, with assistance from the Padungan and Kota Sentosa stations, after receiving a call about the incident at 12.21pm.
The estimated extent of damage caused by the fire was as follows:
First house: 25 per cent damage to the upper floor, while the ground floor was unaffected.
Second house: 80 per cent damage involving both the upper and ground floors.
Third house: 85 per cent damage involving both the upper and ground floors.
Fourth house: 40 per cent damage to the upper floor and 10 per cent to the ground floor.
Bomba said it adopted a defensive firefighting approach because the electricity supply at the scene had not been completely disconnected.
Firefighters deployed three 100-foot hose lines, two dividing breeching units and five nozzle streams to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to neighbouring houses.
However, about five minutes after firefighting operations began, a fireworks explosion occurred inside the third house. The operation was temporarily suspended following the explosion to minimise the risk of injury to firefighters.
The fire was brought under control at 12.47pm, while the operation officially ended at 4.28pm after firefighters confirmed that the scene was safe and there was no further risk of the fire spreading. — DayakDaily
