KUCHING, Dec 5: The Mayor of Kuching South City Council (MBKS), Dato Wee Hong Seng, has commended the Padungan business community for their remarkable unity and swift action during a devastating fire that engulfed three shophouses in the heart of Padungan late this afternoon.
In a message shared with the community, Mayor Wee expressed heartfelt gratitude to the local business owners for stepping forward to assist those impacted by the blaze.
“Some individuals stepped in to help extinguish the fire and provided bottled water to the firefighters on duty. Others opened their doors to assist the affected businesses, including allowing a motorcycle shop to temporarily park its motorcycles for safekeeping,” he said.
The fire, which started around 4pm, caused extensive damage to the area. A three-story grocery store was severely affected, with 80 per cent of its structure damaged. Meanwhile, a motorcycle shop next door suffered heavy losses on its second and third floors, and a nearby convenience store reported 40 per cent damage to its first and third floors.
Despite the destruction, the Padungan community’s collective effort highlighted their resilience and willingness to support one another during a time of crisis.
Dato Wee urged the public to avoid speculation regarding the cause of the fire, emphasizing the importance of allowing the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) to complete their investigation.
“Let Bomba conduct their investigation and provide an official report before drawing conclusions,” he said.
The Mayor also instructed MBKS councillors to extend support to the fire victims. Immediate assistance, such as providing large bins for the disposal of debris, was among the priorities to help those affected recover more quickly.
The unity displayed by the Padungan business community serves as an inspiring reminder of the strength found in collective efforts during challenging times.