SIBU: Seventeen residents were left homeless after a fire destroyed seven units of a General Operations Force (GOF) 10th Battalion barrack at Jalan Upper Lanang here, last night (Dec 29).
Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Zone 4 chief Andy Alie said no injuries or casualties were reported in the 7.05 pm incident.
Firefighters from Sibu Central and Sungai Merah stations were dispatched to the scene, about 8km away, after receiving the distress call.
“Upon arrival, they found the 10-unit block on fire and extinguishing efforts were carried out using water sourced from a nearby fire hydrant.
“The teams managed to save the first two units and limited damage to the third unit to just five per cent. Unfortunately, seven units housing 17 residents were completely destroyed,” he said in a statement.
He noted that the barrack was occupied by 21 residents across seven units, while three units were unoccupied at the time of the fire.
The flames were brought under control by 8.15 pm, with overhaul works conducted to ensure no risk of reignition.
Once the situation was deemed safe, the operation concluded at 9.42 pm.
Andy said the cause of the fire and losses incurred are still under investigation.
