Longhouse in Long Lama razed to the ground within 30 minutes

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Anthony Belare Sagan

MIRI: A 19-door longhouse in Long Lama caught fire at about 11.30am on Wednesday, and within 30 minutes it was turned into ashes.

Those who were in the longhouse then could only watch in horror as there is no fire station in Long Lama and their longhouse has no fire-fighting equipment.

Fortunately, two other blocks of longhouses nearby was spared as the wind was not strong and was blowing in the direction of the river.

In relating the incident, longhouse chief Anthony Belare Sagan said when the fire broke out, most of the longhouse folk were harvesting paddy some 15km from the longhouse.

“Only a few people were in the longhouse then, most of them elderly folk,” he told The Borneo Post after lodging a police report at Long Lama Police Station.

The fire was believed to have started in the kitchen when someone boiled water but did not watch over it.

A resident in another block did spot smoke but thought it was `ordinary’ smoke meant to keep sand flies at bay.

“But due to the dry weather and wind, the fire spread rapidly.

“We can count our blessings because the wind was not strong and it was blowing towards the river. If it had blown up the hill, the fire might have spread to another block,” said, adding that the victims were now putting up in temporary huts or staying with relatives.

Long Lama senior administrative officer (SAO) Michael Louis Balau said Welfare Department personnel had gone to the site to render assistance and relief.

The Fire and Rescue Department had also send men to investigate the cause of the fire.

Meanwhile, Michael reminded those affected by the fire to lodge police reports to facilitate replacement of their personal documents, such birth and marriage certificates, identity cards, and gun permits.

“As there is no fire station in Long Lama, it would be good if every longhouse or settlement form voluntary fire fighting units. They can ask the Fire and Rescue Department for help,” said Michael.