Bleak Raya Looms After Fire Damages Family's Home
By Azaraimy HH

Bandar Seri Begawan - This year's Hari Raya may I ook a bit bleak for occupants of a house that caught fire around noon yesterday.

It was the second house reported in the Bulletin to have caught fire during this Ramadhan. The first case was on the first day of the fasting month in Kampung Sungai Buloh in Mentiri.

The house which was gutted yesterday was at No 13, Jalan Bunga Seri Gadong, Kg Jaya Setia, Perpindahan Berakas. The fire occurred while most of the occupants were out working. The house belongs to an elderly woman, Hjh Nafisah Bte Mat Salleh, who stayed there with her children and grandchildren.

One of the occupants, Hjh Siawan Bte Hj Osman told the Bulletin that she was with her six-month-old grandchild on the second floor of the twostorey house when she smelt smoke and went to investigate.

She said the smoke came from downstairs and although in a panic, she managed to gather her other grandchild and brought them out of the house. That was when a neighbour spotted her on the road looking at the house on fire.

The neighbour asked her to go inside his house and went into the burning house and brought Hjh Nafisah, said to be in her 80's, out of the house. The house was occupied by 11 people from two families and Hjh Nafisah.

The Fire and Rescue personnel said three fire engines were called in - two vehicles from the Berakas fire station and one from the BSB fire station for stand-by.

The fire was put out within 20 minutes after it was believed to have started. However, there was nothing left to be salvaged at the wooden 2,d floor of the house. The fire also caused considerable damage to the concrete 1't floor of the house.

Neighbours were seen gathering around the house to watch the firefighters at work.

Twenty-five firefighting personnel were rushed in, including some nine female personnel led by Operasi `C' Commanding Officer Supt Rannee bin Hj Osman.

Meanwhile, to ease the family's burden, the Community Development Department (JAPEM) promptly handed over some daily necessities to the fire victims.

The Fire Services and Rescue said the cause of the fire was still under investigation. - Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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