By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 22: A fire broke out at Sanya Bistro at Saradise on the evening of Oct 21, caused by fireworks allegedly thrown inside the establishment by five masked individuals.
No injuries were reported.
According to a statement from Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), the incident occurred around 6.58pm, shortly before a call was made to the department at 7.02pm. Firefighters from the Tabuan Jaya fire station were immediately despatched to the scene.
“Upon arrival, thick smoke was observed emanating from the bistro. The fire was successfully extinguished without any structural damage,” Bomba said.
The firefighting team utilised one hose reel and a nozzle from the fire truck to douse the flames, which were concentrated on a chair, table, and bench inside the bistro.
In their official Facebook post, the Sanya Bistro team expressed their concerns, stating: “We regret to inform you that a fire incident occurred at Sanya around 6.58pm due to fireworks thrown inside the bistro by five individuals wearing masks and black shirts. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported.”
The bistro has closed its doors temporarily during the investigation and cleaning process, urging anyone who was present between 6.45pm and 7pm to come forward with any witness accounts to assist the authorities.
“As a responsible business, we prioritise creating a safe and enjoyable environment for our customers. We trust that the government and police will thoroughly investigate this matter,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, Kuching District police chief ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah in a statement revealed the case is currently under investigation under Section 435 of the Penal Code for ‘criminal mischief by fire’, which carries a penalty of imprisonment of up to seven years, with possible fines.
The investigation is also considering Section 427 of the Penal Code for ‘mischief causing damage amounting to twenty-five ringgit’, which could result in imprisonment for up to two years, fines, or both.
Preliminary investigations revealed that five unidentified men had vandalised items inside the premises using wooden objects.
The suspects also threw firecrackers, which ignited the fire, leading to damages estimated at approximately RM97,000. The police are actively working to track down all individuals involved in the incident.
Farhan further urged the public to come forward with any information related to this incident by contacting the Kuching IPD Control Centre at 082-24444 or any nearby police station.
Those with information may also directly reach out to the investigating officer, ASP Joshua Masing Lugoh, at 017-9542048.
The public is advised to refrain from engaging in any illegal activities, as strict action will be taken against those who act outside the bounds of the law. — DayakDaily
