BEKENU: A house was completely destroyed and a neighbouring home partially damaged after fire broke out at Kampung Dagang along Jalan Masjid Baru in Bekenu this morning.
No injuries were reported in the incident.
The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department said the first house, a non-permanent structure measuring about 50ft by 40ft, was destroyed in the blaze. The adjoining house suffered an estimated 15 per cent damage from the heat.
Firefighters from Batu Niah Fire and Rescue Station were alerted at 10.12 am and arrived at the scene at 10.45 am.
They deployed two 100ft hose lines with two nozzles, drawing water from a fire hydrant to contain and extinguish the flames.
The fire was brought under control at 11.40 am and the operation ended at 11.55 am after firefighters confirmed the area was safe.
Six firefighters, led by Batu Niah station chief PBT II Nasir Drahman, took part in the operation using one fire and rescue tender.
Police, four Civil Defence Force personnel and an officer from the Subis District Office were also at the scene.
The fire department said the cause of the blaze and the extent of the losses had yet to be determined and remained under investigation.
Poor telecommunications coverage at the location also made it difficult for the operation commander to relay information from the scene, the department said.
