Woman and teen grandson die in Bintulu workers’ quarters blaze

BINTULU (Feb 2): A workers’ quarters fire at Jalan Sungai Nyigu here has claimed the lives of a woman and her grandson.

The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) identified the victims as 61-year-old Taun Nyaring and Melbourne Jeasy aged 15.

Bomba received an emergency call on the incident at 1.01am and firefighters from the Bintulu fire station were dispatched to the scene.

“Upon arrival, the fire was found to have fully engulfed a two-storey block of non-permanent workers’ quarters comprising 31 units.

“Initial information indicated that occupants were believed to be trapped by the blaze,” Bomba said in a statement.

Firefighters deployed two hose lines measuring about 300 feet with two nozzles using water sourced from an open supply via pumps to the fire engines’ tanks.

“The charred bodies of the grandmother and her grandson were discovered at around 4.20am during overhaul works at the scene,” it added.

Their remains were handed over to the police for further investigation.

The fire also destroyed three motorcycles and partially damaged another.

The operation ended at 5.30am.

A total of 16 firefighters were involved in the operation and policemen were also present to assist.

The cause of the fire and value of losses have yet to be established.