Disabled man killed after fire destroys 30 houses in Tatau squatter settlement

TATAU (Dec 26): A 22-year-old man with disabilities was killed after a massive fire swept through a squatter settlement at Seberang Pekan Sangan here late last night, destroying 30 houses and leaving dozens homeless.

The Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said it received a distress call at 11.18pm, prompting a response from the Tatau Fire and Rescue Station (BBP Tatau).

“Upon arrival, firefighters found a fire involving 31 non-permanent squatter houses, with 30 houses completely destroyed while one house was successfully saved.

“The location was across the river with no road access,” Bomba said in a statement on Friday.

Due to the lack of land access, firefighters were forced to use villagers’ boats to ferry equipment to the scene.

Fire suppression operations involved laying a 400-foot hose line, using a dividing breeching, two nozzles and a portable pump, with water sourced directly from the nearby river to prevent the blaze from spreading.

“Firefighters also managed to prevent the fire from affecting a nearby school,” the statement added.

Bomba confirmed that the victim was found dead at the scene at about 2.36am.

The body was later handed over to the police for further investigation.

The fire affected 23 families involving 97 people.

No other injuries were reported.

A total of seven firefighters were involved in the operation, with assistance from the police, the Civil Defence Force (APM), the Health Ministry, the Tatau District Office and the Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS).

Firefighting operations ended after the area was declared safe.

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