By Nancy Nais
SARATOK, Sept 28: The 120 residents of Rumah Empaling in Sungai Gerjang, Ulu Roban here are breathing a sigh of relief as their longhouse was saved from total destruction after a fire broke out in one of the units today.
This longhouse was rebuilt after it was burnt down in 1997.
Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Saratok fire station chief Nazry Mohamat said only one family, consisting of two adults and two children, from the 21-pintu (doors) double-storey longhouse was affected.
After receiving a distress call at 4.03pm, 12 firefighters were dispatched to the scene, which took about 30 minutes, as the longhouse is located 32km away.
“According to witnesses, the fire started from one of the doors on the upper floor, and early efforts to contain the fire by residents have been successful,” he said.
“While waiting for us to arrive, they used buckets of water to stop the fire from spreading,” he added.
To prevent fire from reigniting, residents were evacuated so firefighters can conduct another round to douse down the heat from flames on the walls and ceilings in particular.
No casualties were reported in the incident and the cause of the fire as well as total losses are still being investigated.— DayakDaily
