MIRI – Seventeen people from three households escaped a fiery death when flames swept through their houses in Kg Badu, Betong district, in southern Sarawak early today.
The 1am fire saw one victim hospitalised with burns.
The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said the village is located about 40km from Betong town.
“Our Betong Bomba units rushed to the scene after receiving an alert.
“All the families managed to escape in time, but one person suffered burns.”
Five children are among the 17, with the youngest aged 6.
The victims are staying at neighbouring houses pending welfare assistance. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.
Today’s fire is the third such incident in as many days in the state involving residential areas.
Yesterday, 20 people from six families in Sibu escaped a predawn fire along Jalan Tiong Hua in the town centre.
The 5am fire saw their six houses, which are adjacent to one another, razed. All the occupants managed to flee.
Firefighters doused the blaze within 40 minutes, preventing it from spreading to other buildings.
The victims of this incident are being sheltered at temporary accommodation pending welfare aid. The cause of the blaze is also under probe.
On Wednesday morning, 17 people from four families saw a fire tearing through their homes in Kg Masjid in the remote Balingian sub-district, located some 60km from Mukah town, in central Sarawak.
The families escaped without serious injuries. – The Vibes, May 14, 2021
