Kuala Belait - A few minutes of strong winds along Jalan Pandan Dua near Belait Town last Saturday left a trail of destruction and shocked most residents at the affected streets.

The strong wind damaged a catering company's kitchen and storage, as well as causing minor damage to another bungalow on the neighbouring Jalan Pandan Satu street.

According to Hj Sunman bin Hj Duraman, a well known catering entrepreneur in Belait, "The strong winds were experienced around 9.10am and it happened very fast. Once the winds died down we saw that the roofing over the kitchen and garage were blown away to Jalan Pandan Satu. Fortunately our vehicles were not damaged by the winds."

Meanwhile at neighbouring Jalan Pandan Satu, a bungalow also suffered slight damages to its roof after the winds blew over the location.

According to the bungalow owner's relative, when interviewed, "My grandchildren were at home during the gale force winds and fortunately they were not playing outside when it occurred. It lloked like a mini twister and mini cyclone to me."

A team of Fire and Rescue personnel led by Deputy Station Officer (DSO) Musa in two fire engines from Belait Fire Station rushed to the scene to assist the victims and estimate the damages.

At Hj Suliman's compound, the Fire and Rescue personnel assisted the victim in removing the damaged roof and conducting cleanup operation.

While at Jalan Pandan Sam, the Fire and Rescue personnel conducted assessments on Hj Suliman's roof, which landed on someone else's compound, as well as the affected bungalow.

Also present at the site were personnel from Kuala Belait Police Station, Police CSSU personnel who conducted assestments at the scene, as well as Belait District Office Village and Mukim Insttution (IMK) unit.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin