SIBU: Five wooden houses located on the riverbank in Kampung Hilir here were destroyed in a fire today, making more than 40 people homeless.
Sibu Zone 4 Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) chief Andy Alie said initial information on the incident did not involve any loss of life.
“The incident occurred at around 8 am and an emergency call was received by the Sibu Central Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) at 8.11 am.
“Following that, a team from BBP Sibu Central with assistance from BBP Sungai Merah was immediately deployed to the location,” he said when met at the scene.
The Operations Response Teams (PKO) from both stations acted quickly to carry out extinguishing operations upon arriving at the scene.
According to him, initial information found that five wooden houses were completely destroyed in the fire.
Efforts to determine the exact number of victims are still underway and investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing,” he said.
By 9.40 am, the fire had been controlled from spreading to nearby areas, but extinguishing operations were still ongoing to ensure that no embers were left behind.
It is understood that an individual with a disability (OKU) was reported to have had to save himself by jumping out of the window of his house.
According to initial information, the victim was sent to hospital by the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) for further treatment.
Records from the Department of Social Welfare (JKM) show that more than 40 victims have been identified and registered as fire victims, with initial assistance being provided.
The JBPM assured that a thorough investigation will be carried out to identify the cause of the fire.
Further information on the incident will be updated from time to time by the authorities.
