Heartbreak in Kampung Bintawa Hilir: Villagers recount anxiety, terrifying screams during fiery ordeal

A resident stares at the houses destroyed by a fire at Kampung Bintawa Hilir on Jan 5, 2023. Photo credit: TVS/ Ahmad Nasrullah

KUCHING, Jan 6: The residents of Kampung Bintawa Hilir could not hide their sorrow as the homes they had cherished for decades were engulfed in flames early on Friday morning (Jan 5).

Village Chief Lahan Sabu said that the fire erupted at 1.20am, resulting in the complete destruction of seven houses, with two others suffering varying degrees of damage.

Lamenting the sudden devastation, Sabu expressed the community’s anxiety, stating, “The fire occurred in the blink of an eye, wiping out seven houses simultaneously, leaving us with nothing.”

“Alhamdulilah, help has been pouring in like mushrooms growing after the rain,” he told TVS yesterday (Jan 5).

Fazialah Kamarozaman, one of the affected residents, described the incident as the most significant challenge he had ever faced.

“As soon as I heard a relative scream about the fire, I promptly evacuated my children and wife from the house, prioritising their safety,” he recounted.

Another resident, Nur Sabrina Nazira Jaman Pula shared she was sleeping when the incident happened.

“The villagers’ screams woke me up, and I immediately roused my mother, saving essential items such as identification cards and our car,” she added.

The fire, which occurred yesterday, left 44 individuals homeless, destroying seven houses and causing damage to two others in Kampung Bintawa Hilir.

Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported. The cause of the fire and the extent of the loss are currently under investigation.

As of 8pm the same day, 38 victims from 12 families have been relocated to a Temporary Relief Centre (PPS) at Kampung Bintawa Hilir Bimajaya Recreational Hall, while one family of five victims chose not to relocate to the PPS. — DayakDaily