A house being used as a workers’ hostel was completely destroyed in a fire along Jalan Peace, in front of Chung Hua Middle School No. 1 in Kuching, on Monday morning. No injuries or fatalities were reported.
The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Centre said it received an emergency call at 7.32am and immediately dispatched 21 firefighters from the Padungan, Tabuan Jaya and Batu Lintang fire stations to the scene.
Firefighters arrived at 7.37am and found a non-permanent structure comprising 10 rooms, measuring approximately 50 feet by 50 feet, fully engulfed in flames.
According to JBPM, the blaze destroyed the entire building, resulting in 100 per cent damage.
Firefighters deployed three 300-foot hose lines and four water jets to battle the blaze, drawing water from both the fire engine’s pump and a nearby fire hydrant.
The fire was brought under control by 7.56am, preventing it from spreading to neighbouring buildings.
Firefighters remained at the scene to carry out overhaul operations to extinguish remaining hotspots and ensure the area was safe.
The cause of the fire and the total losses are still under investigation.
