KG SETIA ‘B’, KG AYER: Four houses in Kg Setia ‘B’ in Kg Ayer were destroyed in an early morning fire, the cause which was suspected to be due to old and damaged electrical wiring, Brudirect reported.
No casualties were reported in the incident, and properties damaged were estimated to be near half-a-million dollars. The Fire and Fescue Services Operations Centre received a call at around 0328 morning hours.
Twenty one firemen from the Marine Fire Station, Sungai Kebun and Pelancaran Fire Stations were despatched to the scene. Four homes were completely razed to the ground, and another FOUR were partially destroyed.
The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Dato Lailaraja Retired Major General Dato Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof; and the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Datin Paduka Hajah Adina binti Othman visited the scene of disaster. They also talked to the fire victims who were temporarily sheltered at the Kampong Setia B Surau.
According to Datin Hajah Adina, food rations were given out immediately to the victims. The Community Development Department also considers placing those in dire needs in temporary homes at the Menjalin Sungai Asam Sports Complex.
A group of officers from the Brunei Muara District Department carried out a contingency plan of action to assist the fire victims. The officers were led by the District’s Acting Officer, Awg Misle bin Haji Abdul Karim.
Several fire victims gave a first-hand account of their near-death encounter. They said the fire spread so fast they did not have time to save their valuables.