63 made homeless after blaze engulfs workers’ quarters

BINTULU: Sixty-three individuals were left with nothing but clothes on their backs after a four-block workers’ quarters was engulfed in flames at Taman Tumbina, Jalan Pantai Tanjung Batu yesterday (July 14).

Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported in the 6.14 pm incident as the residents managed to evacuate to safety.

A spokesman for the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said the 42-door wooden quarters housed 48 men, 10 women, four boys and a girl.

Firefighters from Bintulu and Kidurong stations were promptly deployed to the scene, about 8km away, after receiving a distress call.

Upon arrival, they found the quarters beyond saving and extinguished the blaze using water sourced from a nearby fire hydrant.

The flames were brought under control at 6.57 pm, followed by overhaul works to ensure that there was no risk of reignition.

Once the situation was deemed safe, the team ended the operation at 9.04 pm.

The exact cause of the fire and losses incurred are still under investigation.