Fire destroyed homes in Sibu

SIBU: Nearly 1,000 residents of Kampung Hilir and Kampung Datu Lama here were left homeless after fire razed around 100 houses today.

In the 3.45pm incident, the strong wind and dry weather made the situation worse as fire spread quickly among the tightly-packed clusters of wooden houses.

Sarawak Fire and Rescue director Nor Hisham Mohamad said they received the call at 4.02pm and sent 45 personnel with four fire engines from the Sibu Sentral, Sungei Merah and Kanowit stations to the scene.

“We only managed to control the fire around 7pm. For now, we believed around 100 homes are affected," he said.

 

Meanwhile, resident Mohamad Nur Hafizi Majidi, 28, said the fire spread too fast and only some of them managed to salvage their belongings.

“We believe the fire could have started from an abandoned house which had been left vacant seven years ago, and spread to the neighbouring house. I saw the flames ate the houses one by one in quick fashion.

“The wind in the area is also strong as our villages are located along the river. By the time it was put out, only 20 homes are still left standing," he said.

 The state Welfare Department teams were at the scene to provide aid to the residents.

Read more: Nearly 1,000 villagers in Sibu left homeless in fire - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/nearly-1-000-villagers-in-sibu-left-homeless-in-fire-1.303518#ixzz2Wvjr03HL