KUCHING: A fire broke out at Jalan Kampung Tabuan Melayu on Wednesday evening (March 5), destroying two houses completely and partially damaging another, leaving 23 people homeless.
The Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said they received a distress call at 6 pm, prompting the deployment of firefighters from the Tabuan Jaya, Padungan, and Batu Lintang stations.
It took them more than two hours to bring the flames under control.
One victim suffered breathing difficulties due to smoke inhalation and was rushed to the hospital by an Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) team from Batu Lintang.
The fire completely gutted a double-story house, affecting five families with 12 people, including three children.
Another single-story house was also destroyed, displacing two families of six, including two elderly individuals and two children.
A third house sustained partial damage, affecting a family of five, including twin boys, an elderly woman, and a person with disabilities.
Firefighters used water from a nearby hydrant and relay pumping to contain the blaze.
Police and Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) personnel were also present at the scene.
Once the situation was deemed safe, the team concluded the operation at 8.33 pm. The cause of the fire and the losses incurred are still under investigation.
