By DayakDaily Team
BELAGA, Sept 23: Four non-permanent houses were completely destroyed while three other houses sustained minor damage in a fire at Kampung Lepo’ Uma Badeng, Sungai Asap, here, this morning.
No casualties were reported in the incident, which was reported at about 8.05am, according to the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Belaga.
Upon arrival, firefighters confirmed that the blaze had completely destroyed four houses, each measuring approximately 17 feet by 30 feet.
Three other nearby houses sustained about five per cent damage after the fire spread to the surrounding structures.
The Sungai Asap Volunteer Fire Brigade (PBS) arrived at the scene at 8.25am, before the arrival of the Bomba Belaga team, and immediately began firefighting operations.
The volunteers used a 300-foot hose line to draw water from a nearby fire hydrant in their efforts to contain the blaze.
Operation Commander PBK I Joel Godes subsequently conducted an assessment of the scene and instructed personnel to deploy a second 200-foot hose line, using water supplied by the fire engine’s pump.
The fire was brought under control at 9.45am and the operation concluded at 12.35pm after personnel completed inspections of the affected area.
The team also monitored the surrounding area to ensure there were no remaining sources of fire or further spread.
In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news, Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon later visited to inspect the scene and acknowledged the assistance rendered by Sarawak Energy, the Sungai Asap Volunteer Fire Brigade and local residents in helping contain the blaze.
Preliminary information from residents indicated that the fire was believed to have started following a gas cylinder leak before spreading to the nearby houses. — DayakDaily
