KAPIT: The latest longhouse fire that razed the 32-door longhouse of Rumah Dagum at Nanga Makut Katibas in Song district on early Tuesday morning at about 8:00 a.m was the 14th case of longhouse fire incidence reported so far throughout the state this year.
Among the 13 earlier cases of longhouse fire incidences reported included Rumah Mawang at Sungai Anap Tatau in Bintulu on 26 January; Rumah Langat Anthony Collinat Nanga Majang, Tinjar, Baram on 31 January; Rumah Nyipa Tinggang at Nanga Pandan Sebauh on 4 February; Rumah Alo at Nanga Ngemah, Ulu Lemanak, Lubok Antu on 8 February; Rumah Kim Brim Kartadem, Long Sebayang, Ulu Limbang on 4 March; Long Peluan, Baram, on 6 April; Rumah Lorrie, Nanga Ibau, Batang Rajang Kapit on 21 April; Rumah Agan Tubai at Jalan Medamit Limbang on 13 July; a longhouse at Sungai Merah Pantu in Sri Aman on 19 August; Rumah Cr. Engkabi at San Semanju, Lubok Antu on 20 August; Rumah Sengalang at Tatau Bintulu on 26 August; Rumah Patrick Kebing at Jalan Tubau-Bakun in Bintulu on 12 September and Rumah Augustine Sait at Gran Limo Sri Aman on 13 September.
The double storey wooden longhouse of Rumah Dagum at Nanga Makut about two hours longboat ride from Song town was razed in an early morning fire on Tuesday morning leaving some 297 people homeless.
According to eyewitnesses the fire broke out from the room number 12 that was believed to have started from a gas stove where the occupant had forgotten to witch off the gas stove before going to Song town for a shopping spree. The unattended fire engulfed the kitchen area and later spread rapidly throughout the whole longhouses within minutes.
Apart from the lost of properties and personal belongings, there was no report of human casualty during the fire incident. The total loss was yet to be determined.
The report on the fire was lodged by the village headman, Tuai Rumah Dagum Anak Sangai at Song police station at about 10:45 on the same morning. Meanwhile the Fire and Rescue Department Song, Song District Office, Health Department Song, Welfare Department and other government agencies had paid a visit to the longhouse site to access the damage and to offer assistance to the fire victims. The fire victims are temporarily squatting at the nearby primary school, SK Lubok Bedil for temporary shelter while waiting for their relocation.
