Residents help avert major fire at Debak longhouse, two escape unharmed

BETONG: Quick actions by residents helped save their 50-door Jerai longhouse in Debak from a major fire late last night (Sept 15).

A spokesman for the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said that they were alerted to the incident at 10.18pm and dispatched firefighters from Betong station, along with Debak auxiliary firefighters, to the scene, about 41km away.

Upon arrival, they found that the fire had broken out in a bedroom on the second floor of the 46th unit, causing 40 percent damage to the furniture and ceiling.

Handout photo shows some of the burnt furniture and damaged ceiling.

Residents had already managed to extinguish the flames using two fire extinguishers and pipe water.

Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported as both occupants of the affected unit, aged 58 and 59, escaped unharmed.

The team only ensured that the situation was safe and there was no risk of reignition before ending the operation at 11.48pm.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.