SIBU: Thirty-eight longhouse residents were left with nothing but the clothes they were wearing after a fire completely destroyed Rumah Gamang at Jalan Penasu here yesterday (Jun 16).
According to Fire and Rescue Department Zone 4 chief Andy Alie, firefighters from the Sungai Merah and Sibu central stations were dispatched to the scene, about 12 km away, following a distress call at 6.56 pm.
“Upon arrival, we found the nine-door longhouse fully engulfed in flames. The fire is believed to have started at Door 1 before spreading throughout the entire structure,” he said in a statement today.
Fortunately, all occupants were reported to be safe.
The fire was brought under control by 7.34 pm, followed by overhaul operations to prevent reignition.
The cause of the fire and the total losses incurred are still under investigation.
