Stampin MP to pursue detailed report on Mile 7 shoplot fire incident to improve firefighting measures

Chong (arms crossed) speaking to fire victims at the scene of the incident on Jan 9, 2024.

KUCHING, Jan 9: Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen has stated that he will follow up with the fire department for a detailed report on the Mile 7 shoplot fire incident to identify areas for improvement and determine whether additional firefighting equipment is required to reduce losses in future events.

Chong, who is also Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman, further stated that he has given some of the fire victims his personal contact information and offers assistance as needed.

“I visited the 7th Mile shophouses that caught fire this afternoon with my two assistants, Michael Kong and Sim Kiat Leng. We are sad about the loss of the child to the fire, and my deepest condolences go out to the family of the victim. We hope the family can stay strong in such a tragic event.

“We also thank the fire brigade for their hard work and effort in putting out the fire. It took the fire brigade about two hours to put out the fire.

“Despite the tireless effort of the fire brigades, a total of six shophouses were damaged by the fire. Some eyewitnesses claimed that initially the water pressure was low but it was soon rectified by fire brigades,” he said in a statement issued today.

It was reported earlier today that a 12-year-old boy with special needs was killed in a fire that razed a double-storey shoplot at Mile 7 here.

Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) assistant director Henderi Ardimansyah said they received a call on the incident at 3.30pm before deploying three teams from the Batu Lintang, Tabuan Jaya, and Kota Samarahan fire stations.

The fire involved six shops, with four suffering severe damage. — DayakDaily