Firefighters Working To Put Out The Blaze

Bandar Seri Begawan- Two houses went up in flames in Kg Bakut Pengiran Siraja Muda "B" yesterday afternoon, in yet another fire tragedy that has taken place in Kampong Ayer in the capital.

The fire started in the kitchen of one of the two affected homes, according to a homeowner.

In a mishap like this, the first question that springs to mind is: "What do I save first?"

Hj Kula bin Hj Majair, one of the affected homeowners, said he was fast asleep when the fire broke out, and that he woke up to the smell of the burning fumes. As he got up he saw the fire had already swept to major sections of his home, including the ceiling.

He then tried to save the first biggest thing that came across his eyes - his prized possession - a 60" TV set. Unfortunately, the TV fell into the water as he was trying to pull it out of the house.

Soon it was too late to salvage anything else, and Hj Kula lost everything that was in his house, including his medications and old-age supplements. The man suffers from heart problem and diabetes.

According to an account from the occupants for the other affected house, the fire then spread fast to the neighbouring house, which was only inches away from the first house.

No injuries were reported in the incident, as everyone was already out by time both houses were destroyed.

The owner of the other house, Hjh Siti Hajar binti Hj Sarkawi said she was having an afternoon meal with her husband, when her granddaughter alerted them of the impending fire creeping fast into their home.

However, they, too, lost everything in the house, except for some vital documents such as birth certificates.

According to the commanding officer leading the firefighters, Hj Mohammad bin Hj Sulaiman, the houses, like most houses in the water village are made almost entirely of wood, and are therefore highly susceptible to fire.

The Fire and Rescue Department received the distress call at around 3.17pm, and a team of some 25 firefighters arrived at the scene at around 3.24 pm. They put out the fire at around 3.38pm.

Although it took firemen just around 14 minutes to put out the fire, it was already too late to save the already affected houses.

Hj Kula put his total estimated loss at around B$100,000, while Hjh Siti Hajar said the fire had cost her more than $50,000 in property.

Hj Kula said he had just recently renovated his roof, which cost him around $9,000. His new air-conditioner, which he had yet to install, were among the items destroyed by the fire.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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