Check electricity cables regularly to prevent fire, advises councillor
Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Bukit Assek Youth chief councillor Joseph Chieng urges house owners in the constituency to constantly check their electricity cables to prevent possible fire.
Chieng said most houses at Bukit Assek had similar features; mostly wooden houses built very closely to one another.
“It is sad to see that six doublestorey wooden houses at Jalan Tiong Hua 1 were destroyed by fire yesterday. We are indeed lucky that unlike the fire that destroyed five houses not far from here less than two months ago, this time, we do not have any fatalities,” he said.
It is said that 20 people from four families are left homeless after an early morning fire destroyed six double-storey wooden houses at Jalan Tiong Hua 1 yesterday.
The occupants including one with disabilities managed to escape the fire unhurt.
Chieng said another feature of houses in Bukit Assek area is that most of the houses are divided into rooms for rent by people from outstation working in Sibu.
“With too many rooms and many people using so much electricity, the chances of fire is greater due to electricity overload. I therefore urge house owners to consider re-installing new cables and check the old ones regularly,” he said, adding that most of houses at Bukit Assek area were over 50 years old.
Yesterday, he visited the fire victims and distributed food aid to lessen their burden.
He said he had contacted various agencies for assistance.
“If you want my help in applying for renewal of identification card and any important documents lost in the fire, you can contact me at 0198867288,” he told the fire victims.
The fire victims have also received assistance from various parties such as the Welfare Department and Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) Sibu chapter.
Political parties also extended a helping hand to the fire victims during their difficult time.
It is sad to see that six double-storey wooden houses at Jalan Tiong Hua 1 were destroyed by fire yesterday. We are indeed lucky that unlike the fire that destroyed five houses not far from here less than two months ago, this time, we do not have any fatalities.