Faulty fan cable blamed for Tutong fire
By Abdul Rahim Hj Ismail & Hj Minor Absah

The charred remnants of Awang Jaib Alak's house at
Kampung Pangkalan Tangsi, Layong

TUTONG - The Fire Services Department has determined that the faulty cable of a wall fan on the first floor of Awang Jaib Alak's house at Kampung Pangkalan Tangsi, Layong caused a short-circuit starting a fire in his house last Wednesday afternoon.

The fire happened around 2.45 pm and destroyed all of the first floor of his house which include 4 bedrooms, living room, kitchen and bathroom with an estimated loss of $50,000 and with items saved amounting to around $20,000.

Awg. Jaib, 51, estimated that the actual loss was more than $100,000 for his recently renovated house.

He said that the fire started with a loud explosion on the first floor while he and his family were resting after lunch. As soon as he heard the loud explosion, he saw plumes of smoke followed by a fire and he shouted to his family to run and save themselves.

Awg Jaib who is partially disabled in the legs and hand tried to save all he could.

However, the first floor of the house and part of the ground floor were engulfed in flames in 15 minutes.

This was the second time that his family has experienced a fire - the first blaze happened around five years ago and destroyed his house that was on the same site.

Lamunin Fire Services Department received the emergency phone call from Awg Safri Jaib, the son of Awg Jaib, at 3.10 pm. The firefighters were led by ASO Aliyas Ali.

The team was helped by three fire engines from Tutong Fire Services Department and fifteen firemen headed by ASO Mohd Ali Hassan.

Also present to view the damages were Tutong District Officer, Awang Hj Hepnie Abang Hj Abu Hanifah, Penghulu Mukim Lamunin, Lamunin head village and Layong head village.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin