Family escapes unhurt as early morning fire damages Sibu house kitchen

SIBU (April 11): A double-storey permanent house at Maludan Utara Lorong 1 here was partially damaged in an early morning fire on Saturday, with all four occupants escaping unharmed.

The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) operations centre (PGO) said it received a distress call at 2.47am and immediately deployed a team from the Sibu Sentral fire station to the scene, about 6km away.

“A total of 10 personnel, along with one Fire Rescue Tender (FRT) and an Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) unit, were dispatched to the location.

“The team arrived at 2.54am and found that the fire had involved the kitchen area of the double-storey permanent house,” the PGO said in a statement.

According to the PGO, firefighters swiftly carried out extinguishing operations using an initial attack hose line, bringing the blaze under control by 3.10am.

“The fire affected approximately 100 per cent of the kitchen area, measuring about 18 by 10 square feet.

“Firefighters also conducted ventilation works by opening parts of the roof to release trapped smoke,” it added.

The house was occupied by four individuals at the time of the incident, including two adults, a child and an infant, all of whom managed to evacuate safely before firefighters arrived.

The operation, led by PBK II Joannis Joseph Sawang, concluded at 4am after ensuring the area was safe and free of any remaining fire hazards.

Police personnel were also present at the scene to assist.