Couple die, six others safe as fire guts plantation quarters in Kuala Baram

MIRI (Jan 18): A married couple perished while six others escaped unhurt when a fire razed a workers’ quarters at a plantation in Kuala Baram on Sunday.

The Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) in a statement identified the deceased as Berain Skam and his wife Terin Lenjau, both aged 37.

“The fire involved a two-unit wooden block measuring 40×30 square metres. The two deceased were found together in one unit.

“Five adults and a child living in the other unit managed to safely escape,” it said in a statement.

The department said acting on a call at 5.59am, personnel from the Lutong fire station were rushed to the plantation located about 40km away.

Bomba said workers at the plantation were able to bring the situation under control using 30 portable extinguishers and three water pumps.

“The fire was doused prior to the arrival of firefighters at 8.20am. Overhaul works were conducted to ensure no further danger at the scene, and the operation concluded at 9.16am,” it added.

Also assisting in the operation were personnel from the Lopeng fire station.

The remains of the deceased were handed over to police for further action.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.