BINTULU: More than 120 residents fled to safety after a massive fire engulfed a 23-door longhouse in Samalaju yesterday (Aug 2), sparing lives but leaving the entire community without a home.
The blaze tore through the non-permanent longhouse at Rumah Padang Batu, Jalan Bintulu-Miri at around 4.30pm.
No injuries or fatalities were reported as all 125 occupants, including children and an infant, were evacuated to safety.
Besides destroying the longhouse, the fire also damaged six vehicles parked nearby.
A Perodua Axia and a Proton Saga each sustained about 15 per cent damage while a Proton Wira, a Toyota Unser and two Perodua Kancil each suffered about 10 per cent damage.
Firefighters from Samalaju, Kidurong, Batu Niah and Bintulu stations were dispatched to the scene following an emergency call.
Upon arrival, they found the longhouse fully engulfed and mounted a firefighting operation, drawing water from an open source to bring the blaze under control.
The fire was contained at 5.50pm, after which firefighters carried out overhaul works to extinguish remaining hotspots and ensure the area was safe.
Once the situation was deemed safe, the team ended the operation at 10.32pm.
The cause of the fire and losses incurred are still being investigated.
