LIMBANG: Fire yesterday morning destroyed a 14-door wooden longhouse near Merasam, Jalan Kubong Limbang here and left 101 people homeless.
Based on initial investigations, the 10am blaze, according to Limbang Fire Chief, Tawang Lingem, was believed to have started at the second door of the longhouse, Rumah Panjang Sateng.
The Iban longhouse is located about 38 kms from Limbang town and at the time of the incident, the residents were busy cleaning and clearing the areas around the longhouse.
15 firemen in four fire engines rushed to the spot after receiving an emergency call at 10am.
The cause and costs of the fire are being investigated at press time.
Meanwhile, in an unrelated case, a room at a Chinese temple at Kampung Bidang was completely gutted by fire which began at about 5.42am yesterday.
Tawang said 11 fire fighters including volunteers in three fire engines rushed to the scene which was about 39 kms away from the fire station.
Initial investigations revealed that the fire might have started from an air conditioner located in the room.
