MIRI – A 22-door longhouse in Kg Sekubang, Batu Kawa Lama, housing 150 residents was razed to the ground in a fire last night.
It is the only longhouse in the Kuching urban area.
The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department said there were no casualties in the incident that occurred about 7.30pm.
“There were 42 men, 42 women and 66 children in the longhouse when the fire started.
“All of them escaped unharmed,” the department said.
In the wake of the incident, Batu Kawah assemblyman Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said a new fire station costing RM2.1 billion will be built for his constituency, where the longhouse is located.
Dr Sim said the federal government has approved the funds for its construction.
“It is a huge relief to know that there were no casualties or serious injuries in the fire.
“The worst fear has come true for the only longhouse along the Sg Sarawak riverbank reserve in Kg Segubang.
“Solar power for electricity has been installed for the living quarters there since 2018 and, despite spending RM80,000 for a water pipe upgrade and a fire hydrant right in front of the longhouse the year before, the worst fear of a fire still occurred,” said Sim, who also thanked the Fire and Rescue Department for their quick action.
“It is too late for the longhouse now but hopefully, we can avert other fires in Batu Kawa.”
Batu Kawa is some 15km from Kuching. – The Vibes, August 10, 2021
