BARAM, Sept 17: An estimated RM770,000 went up in smoke when a worker’s quarters was razed to the ground in a fire yesterday.
According to the sate Fire and Rescue Department, the incident occurred at about 5.30am, in Camp Temala, Baram.
The distance from the site to the nearest fire station in Marudi is about 176km.
A total of 11 ‘bilik’ (quarters unit) were completely destroyed. Although only six of the units were occupied, it has rendered 18 people including children homeless.
Marudi fire station chief Maureen Sim said she received a WhatsApp message from one of the Long Bemang volunteer firefighters at about 9am.
It is learnt that one of the residents, Orthyna Semayong, 47, woke up early in the morning to change her grandchild’s soiled diaper when she noticed smoke coming from her kitchen area.
By the time she saw the fire, it was already burning at its height and spreading very fast.
No injuries were reported in the incident.
Fire investigators were later dispatched to the scene to ascertain the cause and amount of losses. — DayakDaily
