MUKAH: A total of 36 residents of five families were left homeless after their longhouse in Rumah Tingang Anjang, Sebakong here was completely destroyed in a fire on Friday night.
The incident occurred at 11.30pm. No fatalities were reported.
Operation commander PPgB Azman Hanapis explained that the Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) Mukah received an emergency call on the incident at 11.55pm.
“Six members of the BBP led by PBK II Nasir Drahman with two assets rushed to the scene immediately following the emergency call.
“Upon arrival at the scene, the fire team used a nearby open water source to extinguish the fire,” he said.
He added that although they managed to control fire at 2.30am, the five-door longhouse was already destroyed.
“The loss and cause of the fire and still being assessed,” he stated.
According to initial information from one of the occupants, the fire was believed to have been started by one of the longhouse residents who initially threatened to kill himself when police arrived at the scene.
“The fire was said to have taken place after police left the scene and the suspect fled into the nearby woods after the incident.
“The wife of the suspect also said the same thing,” he said.
It is not known yet what caused the suspect’s actions.
