KUCHING: Five shops at Ewe Hai Street here faced a fire outbreak today (Mar 8), with three completely consumed by flames and two partially damaged.
Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) deputy director, Tiong Ling Hii, said that a team of 35 firefighters from Tabuan Jaya, Padungan, and Batu Lintang fire stations was dispatched to tackle the blaze.
Deploying three Fast Response Vehicles (FRP) and a vehicle equipped for high-rise fires, the team addressed the fire spread through the ceilings and roofs, exacerbated by the heritage building’s open layout.
“Due to the heritage building’s layout without partition walls, the fire spread rapidly through ceilings and roofs,” said Tiong.
He noted the fire was brought under control by 2.40 pm, around an hour after it was reported, with initial efforts hampered by vehicles obstructing access to the site.
Assistance from the police and council helped in securing access.
Eyewitness accounts noted the evacuation of nearby residents, with no casualties reported so far.
Authorities were forced to enter the shops to ensure no individuals were trapped inside due to difficulties contacting the owners.
“This marks the third fire incident at Carpenter Street, the last occurring in 2012,” he added, indicating an ongoing investigation into the cause of the fire.
