Fire destroys five-unit shoplot

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AFTERMATH: One of the razed units following the fire.

KUCHING: A five-unit single storey shoplot at Pending Seafood Centre here was destroyed in an early morning blaze yesterday, resulting in substantial losses to two business owners operating there.

The incident occurred around 3.10am when a drink seller, who identified herself as Voon, and her husband woke up after hearing ‘crackling’ sounds coming from the block next to theirs.

The couple said they initially thought burglars were attempting a break-in but, after peering outside, saw plumes of smoke rising from the neighbouring block and realised a fire had broken out.

Voon said her husband immediately contacted the Fire Department while she herself ushered their two young children out of their shop, where they have been living and selling drinks for the past four years.

Thirteen personnel from the nearby Tabuan Jaya fire station arrived at the scene at 3.19am following the distress call, but were unable to do much to salvage the affected block as it was already engulfed in flames.

A Bomba spokesperson said the team managed to contain the fire from spreading to surrounding blocks before extinguishing the blaze at around 5.50am, and are currently investigating to determine its cause.

One of the affected hawkers, surnamed Chua, said he lost everything in the incident but was lucky as his business was covered by insurance.

He explained that he had been renting three of the razed units for his seafood-cum-drinks business for more than five years, and employed more than 20 local workers.

Chua said the other affected hawker, who operated a similar business from the remaining two units for the past 20 years, also lost everything in the fire.

Meanwhile, Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Datuk James Chan has pledged to have the razed block rebuilt as quickly as possible. He said he visited the site at 7.40am to survey the aftermath of the fire along with insurance personnel as well as potential contractors.

“We want to be there for these hawkers and get them back on their feet, and will proceed to overcome this problem quickly without too much ado,” he added.

SUBSTANTIAL LOSSES: Members of the public looking to salvage unspoilt fishes from one of the razed units.