KUCHING: The five longhouse fires in the state this year up till the month of April affected a total of 157 households and caused losses totalling over RM5.49 million.
State Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) director Khirudin Drahman said the statistics had shown an improvement compared to the same period last year where a total of eight longhouses were destroyed in fires with losses amounting to RM12.8 million.
The five longhouses destroyed by fires were Rumah Panjang Buyong, Jalan Lidong, Betong (Jan 15), Kampung Baru 8, Jalan Pusa (Mar 8), Rumah Chandi Sungai Tau Selanggau (Ap14), Rumah Uma Bawang Sungai Asap Belaga Sarawak Block D & E (Apr 15) and Rumah Umpang, Jalan Selangau, Sungai Tau (Apr 18).
According to the Bomba chief, three of this year’s five longhouses, comprising 91 doors or households that were fully razed to the ground, suffered losses amounting to RM5.46 million.
The three longhouses were Rumah Chandi Sungai Tau Selanggau, Rumah Uma Bawang Sungai Asap Belaga Sarawak Block D & E and Rumah Umpang, Jalan Selangau, Sungai Tau, he said.
“One death was recorded with one injury reported during the fire incident involving Rumah Chandi Sungai Tau Selanggau recently,” he said during the Safety Awareness Programme held in conjunction with Gawai Dayak and Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2019.
The event and distribution of “lemang”, organised in collaboration with Shell Sarawak, took place at the Bomba headquarters here yesterday.
Khirudin also disclosed that assets saved from the flames were worth RM6.22 million compared to the same period last year when RM4.79 million worth of assets were saved.
Last year, 220 doors from the eight longhouse fires were recorded; the longhouses were Rumah Panjang Mawang Manga Takan, Tatau (Jan 27); Rumah Nagga Majang, Marudi (Jan 31); Rumah Nyipa, Jalan Sebauh Pandan, Bintulu (Feb 4); Rumah Panjang Nanga Ngemah Ulu Lemanak, Lubok Antu, Betong (Feb 8); Rumah Puso Kerangan Mong, Lubok Antu, Jalan Simpang Hydro (Mar 1); Rumah King Brim, Kartadam, Long Sebatang, Ulu Medamit, Limbang (Mar 5); Rumah Long Peluan Ulu Baram (Apr 4) and Rumah Lorre Nanar Ibau Batang Rajang, Kapit (Apr 21).
“And of these figures, five longhouses with 169 occupants were totally destroyed in the fires with losses amounting to RM9.27 million,” he said, adding that the improvement seen was due to the intense engagement with the community through various campaigns throughout the year.
During the event, Khirudin also presented donations to the orphans present prior to the launch of the awareness campaign and distribution of 500 “lemang” to 10 mosques and surau as well as fire stations within Kuching.
Also present were Bomba acting deputy director and assistant operations director Tiong Ling Hii and Shell East Malaysia Regional Manager Yakub Tuarang together with senior officials and dignitaries.
