Fire leaves family of nine homeless
KUCHING: Nine people including two children were made homeless after fire razed their home at Kampung No. 5 at Jalan Datuk Ajibah Abol, here yesterday.
No injuries were reported in the 2pm incident, which is believed to have started in the kitchen.
House owner Saodah Asma, 54, said she was resting when one of her children spotted smoke coming from behind the refrigerator.
“All of us managed to escape the fire, which I’m grateful for. In just five minutes, we lost everything in the blaze,” she said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, who is also Satok assemblyman, visited the family after learning of the incident and assured them of assistance such as basic necessities and other needs.
“We will provide immediate assistance such as food and clothes while waiting for other assistance to be channeled,” he said, while advising everyone to take precautions especially during the current hot weather.
Fire and Rescue Department ( Bomba) operation commander Patrick Mawong said firemen rushed to the scene following a distress call at 2.05pm, but arrived to discover the house already gutted.
“A total of 27 firefighters from three fire stations – Padungan, Batu Lintang and Petra Jaya – were deployed to the scene. The fire was brought under control within 24 minutes and extinguished at 2.44pm,” he said when met at the scene.
Patrick added the department is still investigating the cause of the fire as well as assessing total losses incurred.