44 homeless in wee-hour blaze

KUCHING: A devastating fire in the early hours left 44 individuals homeless as seven houses were reduced to ashes, while two others sustained 30 per cent damage in Kampung Bintawa Hilir, here.

No injuries or fatalities were reported. However, the 1.33 am incident this morning affected 40 adults and four children.

A spokesperson for the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) operations centre said firefighters from Petra Jaya, Padungan, and Tabuan Jaya fire stations swiftly responded to a distress call.

Upon arrival, firefighters had to resort to water from a nearby fire hydrant, an open water source from a nearby river, and a water tanker to prevent the fire from spreading.

The tireless efforts of the firefighters led to the complete extinguishing of the fire by 6.20 am.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire and assessing the incurred losses.