MIRI – Some 17 individuals from four families managed to escape the blaze that destroyed their houses in Kg Masjid in the remote Balingian sub-district in central Sarawak.
The 9.15am fire saw the blaze spread rapidly from one house to the next, but all four families escaped without serious injuries.
Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department in its updates said the village is 60km from Mukah town.
“The fire station in Mukah received an emergency alert around 9.15am. Fire and rescue units rushed to the site, which is 60km away. Volunteer firefighting squads were also alerted. The families managed to escape the flames unhurt,” said the department.
Two of the houses have six people each while the other two have three and two occupants, respectively.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated.
All 17 victims are being housed in temporary shelters pending welfare assistance. – The Vibes, May 12, 2021