Blaze completely destroys block of Penan longhouse in Ba Abang, Ulu Baram

MIRI (Nov 4): A block of the Penan longhouse in Ba Abang, Ulu Baram, was completely destroyed in a late afternoon fire yesterday.

The Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said they received a report on the incident was received at 9.09pm last night.

“However, there are still no details on the number of doors affected or whether there were any victims involved in the incident,” it said in a statement early today.

Bomba said firefighters from the Marudi fire station were deployed to the location in a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

Meanwhile, Telang Usan district officer Ezra Uda, when contacted, said he was informed of the incident yesterday.

“Unfortunately, due to the lack of telecommunications in the area, it was difficult to obtain information on the number of doors destroyed.

“However, I was told that only one block of the longhouse was involved,” he said, adding that there are two blocks of longhouses in the settlement.

Ezra mentioned that access to the longhouse is now cut off after a bridge in the area collapsed recently.

“The alternative route to the settlement would require them to go to Long San, then take a longboat and continue the journey on foot for four hours.

“Hence, I would suggest for the Bomba team to use a helicopter,” he said.

Ezra added that based on the district office records, Ba Abang has a total of 50 registered households.