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SIBU: A devastating fire broke out at a house in Lorong Oya Lama 22 this evening, with firefighters facing serious challenges due to a missing fire hydrant and extremely narrow, rocky roads.
According to Andy Alie, Head of Sibu Zone Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), the fire and rescue team from Sibu Sentral Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) received the emergency call at 3.59 pm. However, the journey to the burning house, which is about 2 kilometres from the main road, was not smooth at all.
The fire truck, known as the Fire Rescue Tender (FRT), could not reach the exact location because of the very narrow and uneven road. This forced the firefighters to park their vehicle far away and carry their equipment on foot to the site.
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“The house was already fully destroyed when we arrived. Without proper road access, our machinery could not go in,” Andy explained in a statement.
The situation became even worse because there was no nearby fire hydrant to supply water. This forced the fire team to find an open water source nearby. They used whatever water they could collect, transporting it in iron barrels to the burning house.
Despite the difficulties, the brave firefighters managed to bring the fire under control and fully extinguish it by 6.05 pm. Fortunately, no injuries or deaths were reported in this incident.
Andy highlighted that this situation is a clear reminder of the importance of proper road planning and sufficient fire hydrants, especially in residential areas located far from the main roads.
“This kind of problem should not happen. When fires happen, every second counts. We hope the authorities can look into this to prevent similar problems in the future,” he added.
As investigations continue, residents of Lorong Oya Lama 22 are left counting their losses, while also questioning whether better infrastructure could have saved the home.