BINTULU: A teenage boy sustained burns on his back in a massive fire that destroyed 19 squatter houses along Batang Tatau riverbank this morning (Aug 25), leaving 74 residents displaced.
The 13-year-old sustained 20 per cent burns to his back, and was rushed to Tatau Health Clinic by members of the public before firefighters arrived.
Meanwhile, the blaze occurred at around 10.08 am and firefighters from Tatau and Bintulu stations were quickly deployed to the scene, about 200 metres from Tatau town via river route.
Upon arrival at 10.20 am, the team confirmed that the fire involved 19 interconnected and separate squatter houses built along the riverbank.
Of these, 17 houses were completely destroyed, while two others suffered minor damages from heat and were later demolished to prevent the fire from spreading.
Firefighters used four portable pumps and river water to extinguish the blaze as fire engines could not access the scene due to its location.
The fire was brought under control at 11.06 am and overhaul works were carried out to ensure no potential reignition.
Once the situation was deemed safe, the operation ended at 2.33 pm.
The cause of the fire and losses incurred is still under investigation.
