Fire destroys workers’ quarters in Betong, no casualties reported

KUCHING (Feb 13): Fourteen workers escaped unharmed after a fire destroyed their 24-room living quarters near SK Saka in Betong this morning.

The Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said it received a distress call at 10.20am, prompting personnel from the Betong Fire Station to be dispatched to the scene.

“Upon arrival at the scene, firefighters found that about 85 per cent of the structure had already been destroyed by the fire.

“All 14 occupants, aged between 40 and 51, managed to escape safely,” the department said in a statement.

The fire was extinguished using an auxiliary hose line and a 200-foot hose line, with water supplied from the fire engine’s tank.

“Due to the absence of a fire hydrant at the location, firefighters had to make repeated trips to refill water from the nearest hydrant.

“Overhaul works were conducted to ensure the fire was completely extinguished,” Bomba said.

After confirming the area was safe, the fire crew returned to the station.