Abang Johari (right) looks at the rubble caused by the explosion.
Some Block E residents taking shelter at Sibu Jaya multipurpose hall.
Abang Johari (seated), Gramong (left) and Abdul Karim (second left) visit Chantal Angellica Eddy, the one-month old baby who had a miraculous escape with her mother during the explosion.
SIBU: The explosion at Block E of Sibu Jaya flats in the wee hours of Saturday was most likely caused by gas leak due to a loose hose connecting a cooking stove to a gas cylinder.
Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said from initial investigation by Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), it was found a spark was ignited when the owner of a unit on the ground floor switched on the lights, causing an explosion.
“The explosion also could have impacted other units in the same block due to wind direction.
“Based on evidence gathered, the unit was found to be used as a trading place,” he told a press conference after he visited the site and the victims yesterday.
He also said engineers would submit reports to Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) and Public Works Department to determine whether the building was still safe for occupation.
While waiting for the reports, the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) would offer 64 vacant flat units to the owners of the units in Block E affected by the incident, he disclosed.
He said the owners would only be required to continue with the repayment of their housing loans for the new unit they would be getting.
“I have directed that this must be done not less than two weeks.
“We have done a bit of repair on the vacant units,” he said.
Abang Johari later said he had directed SRDC to enforce its regulations and demolish all illegal trading in residential units.
“We want to create a safe place for people to reside. We do not want another such incident,” he said.
More than a dozen residents were injured in the 2.48am incident, and all 179 residents of Block E are now taking shelter at Sibu Jaya multipurpose hall.
One of those injured was a 51-year-old man who suffered 52 per cent burns. He is receiving further treatment in Kuching.
Abang Johari was accompanied by Assistant Housing Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Assistant Land Development Minister Datuk Gramong Juna and HDC chairman Datuk Dr Abang Abdul Rauf Abang Zen.