BINTULU: The charred remains of an elderly woman were found after an inferno consumed 17 squatter houses at Jalan Tanjung Kidurong, Sungai Plan today (Apr 7).
A spokesman for the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said that the deceased has been identified as Nuie Ipang, 77.
Her remains were handed over to the police at 2.12 pm to be taken to Bintulu Hospital for further action.
Meanwhile, on the fire, firefighters from Kidurong and Bintulu stations were dispatched to the scene after receiving a distress call at 11.06 am.
Upon arrival, they confirmed that 16 houses were engulfed by flames and the extinguishing deed was performed using water sourced from a nearby fire hydrant.
The fire was brought under at 12.03 pm and overhaul works followed suit to ensure no risk of reignition.
A total of 94 residents—including 66 adults and 28 children—managed to evacuate safely. No injuries were reported, but the fire left the victims with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Once the situation was deemed safe, the team ended the operation at 2.50 pm.
The cause of the fire and losses incurred is still under investigation.