The state of the house following the pre-dawn collapse of its rear section.
SIBU: Five families sharing a wooden house at Jalan Sentosa here escaped unhurt after the rear of the home collapsed early yesterday.
The incident happened around 5.15am when all 34 members of the families were already awake – either preparing to go to school or making traditional cakes for sale.
District police chief ACP Stanley Jonathan Ringgit said the occupants fled the house as soon as they heard ‘cracking’ sounds.
“Minutes after they ran to safety, the rear of the single-storey house collapsed,” he said.
He said the occupants comprise five siblings and their respective family.
It is said the collapse was due to a rotten support pillar.
Personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), Civil Defence Force (APM) and Welfare Department were at the scene to assist the families.