SARIKEI: The Divisional Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (Fama) office located on the first floor of a shoplot along Green Road here was gutted on Tuesday evening.
The fire was believed to have started around 5.30pm.
As the fire engine was then attending to five cases of bushfires in Sungai Nyelong and Stok area, the station responded by dispatching several firemen in ordinary vehicles to monitor the situation, District Fire and Rescue Services (Bomba) chief Terry Robson said.
On arrival at the scene, they noticed thick smoke bellowing from the back windows of the office, but could not do much without their fire engine, he said.
Altogether, 12 firemen were involved including six more from Bintangor who came in another engine.
As the entrance to the office was locked, the firemen had to use ladders to enter the Fama office, he said.
The combined efforts of firemen from here and Bintangor prevented the fire from spreading to other units and doused the fire in a few minutes.
Cause of the fire and the extent of damage or losses incurred are still under investigation, he added.