Mystery Dawn Fire Guts Racing Boats At Kg Ayer
By CT Hj Mahmod

Bandar Seri Begawan - A fire broke out at Kampong Setia A in Kampong Ayer at dawn yesterday, which destroyed four boats that were kept for maintenance at Syarikat Hjh Rohani.

Eleven fire fighters from Bandar, Sea posts, and Sungai Kabun, headed by Hj Alue bin Hj Jais, rushed to the scene on receiving a call at 4.15 am. They were at that time patrolling a nearby area. They managed to put out the fire by 4.29 am.

This is the first time ever in their 29 years of family business involving building and maintenance of boats, a fire mishap has happened.

Hj Nordin bin Hj Buntan, owner of the company stated that "safety has been the main priority", and as a senior officer at the Fire Services Department, he knew "how dangerous it would be if a fire broke out in the area, for it is like a time bomb".

Hj Nordin, who was at his shop until midnight giving final touches to one of the boats, said he received a call at 4.14 am from one of the residents living nearby his shop, who said he saw a thick smoke coming from his shop.

Two of the four boats destroyed were racing boats that were to take part in a race at Sungai Bunga in four days time. The Baitulmal treasury department ordered the other two boats.

It was learnt that there was no trace of the canvas that covered all four boats. According to Hj Awg Damit Hj Salleh, Commanding Officer of the Sea Fire Service Department. Officials are still investigating the mysterious fire mishap. (Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin)

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