TELUPID: Eight workers’ quarters at the Tawai 1 Estate housing here were destroyed in a fire on Sunday afternoon. The incident, which occurred at approximately 5.10pm, involved a permanent-structure block consisting of eight units.
Beluran Fire and Rescue Station Chief Edoen Macheal said an emergency call regarding the incident was received at 5.12pm, and a team of eight firefighters from the station rushed to the scene, located at 100km from the station.
“The fire brigade arrived at the location at 6.45pm and found a block of workers’ quarters that was 100 per cent engulfed in flames. Estate workers had previously attempted to extinguish the fire using seven 9kg fire extinguishers, but they were unsuccessful in controlling the blaze,” he said in a statement on Monday.
He added that the extinguishing operation was carried out using a 200-foot hose line with two jets, as well as a hose reel utilising an open water source.
The fire was brought under control by 7.30pm, and the operation was fully concluded at 8pm after the team ensured there were no further hazards at the site.
“No casualties were reported in this incident,” he noted.
He added that the location lacked telephone reception and Government Integrated Radio Network (GIRN) coverage, which hampered communication during the operation.
In KENINGAU, the tranquil atmosphere in Kampung Kauran, as residents prepared to break their fast and perform Tarawih prayers, turned to panic when a large fire broke out in the village on Sunday evening.
The incident, which occurred at 6.38pm, destroyed two non-permanent houses.
Upon receiving the emergency call, the Keningau Fire and Rescue Station immediately deployed a team led by Operations Commander PBK I Norhasrita Abd Manan.
The rescue team brought essential assets, including a Fire Rescue Tender (FRT), a water tanker, and an Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) unit to manage any potential casualties at the scene.
However, efforts to extinguish the blaze faced daunting logistical challenges.
In addition to navigating unusually heavy traffic during the peak hour as the public headed home for Iftar or to the mosque, the fire brigade struggled with very restricted access routes.
Narrow village roads and bridges hindered the heavy machinery from reaching the source of the fire quickly.
Despite these constraints, the firefighters successfully brought the flames under control by 7.30pm using water from the appliances and a nearby hydrant.
The operation, which received strong support from six police officers (PDRM) and four Sabah Electricity personnel, was officially concluded at 8.10pm with no reported casualties or injuries.
