Shoplot Fire in Long Lapok, Two Units Destroyed but No Casualties

(Miri, 25th) The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department received a report this morning that a row of shoplots in Bakong’s Long Lapok caught fire, with two ground-floor shops in a two-storey permanent building completely engulfed in flames. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.

According to the Fire and Rescue Department, the alert was received at 6:14am via a call to the police by a member of the public. The Miri Lopeng Fire Station immediately dispatched a fire truck, an emergency ambulance, and a fire 4WD vehicle to the scene, which was about 95 kilometers away. The team arrived at the fire site at 7:53am and began operations.

Upon arrival, firefighters found that two ground-floor shop units, each approximately 40×30 square feet, were already ablaze. The local Salin Longhouse Community Firefighting Team had already begun preliminary firefighting using two 300-foot hoses connected to a fire hydrant.

After Commander Mohamad Firuz arrived, an immediate assessment was carried out. Since no one was trapped, the firefighters took over and carried out full firefighting using two first-attack hoses, two 300-foot hoses, a water divider, and water from the fire truck tank. The fire was brought under control at 8:37am, with overhaul and further inspection ongoing.

Other agencies at the scene included the police, Sarawak Energy, Rural Water Supply Department, and Salin Community Firefighting Team. The cause of the fire and the amount of loss are still under investigation.