| Abdul Hakiim Yakof |
A MASSIVE fire that broke out yesterday in Kampong Lorong Dalam and Kampong Pandai Besi in Kampong Ayer gutted 24 houses, causing heavy loss of property.
A total of 13 houses in Kampong Lorong Dalam and 11 houses from Kampong Pandai Besi were affected in the blaze which spread fast due to strong winds.
Fortunately, there were no casualties.
Present to assess the situation were Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Home Affairs, and Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.
Speaking to the Bulletin, Haji Abu Bakar bin Haji Chuchu, Village Head of Kampong Lorong Dalam, also the Acting Village Head of Kampong Sungai Pandan ‘A’ and ‘B’, Mukim Burong Pingai Ayer, said that he was attending to a village resident’s housing application at his office at midday when an explosion was heard.
“We thought that the fire broke out in Kampong Sungai Pandan but we found out soon after that it began in Kampong Pandai Besi.”
“The village residents were very cooperative in lending a helping hand to transfer flammable items such as gas cylinders to prevent the fire from spreading farther,” he said.
“We cannot blame anyone as what happened here was by the will of Allah the Almighty. The Fire and Rescue Department put a lot of effort in extinguishing the flames with assistance from the villagers. My home was also close by to the fire and had it reached my home, I wouldn’t have been able to do much,” he added.
A massive fire rages in Kampong Lorong Dalam and Kampong Pandai Besi in Kampong Ayer.
Haji Abu Bakar bin Haji Chuchu (L), Village Head of Kampong Lorong Dalam, also the Acting Village Head of Kampong Sungai Pandan ‘A’ and ‘B’, Mukim Burong Pingai Ayer; explaining the situation to Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Home Affairs; and Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports. – PHOTOS: ABDUL HAKIIM YAKOF
Fire and Rescue Department personnel controlling the blaze.
Fire and Rescue Department personnel inspecting the aftermath of the blaze.
In an interview, the Minister of Home Affairs said that the Fire and Rescue Department received an emergency call at 12.15pm, and at that time the fire had spread to three houses.
The department deployed fire and rescue teams from the Sungai Lampai and the Sungai Kebun stations.
“According to the villagers, the river was at low tide at the time, so it was difficult for the Fire and Rescue teams to extinguish the fire because they were forced to use a longer hose. Another difficulty was the presence of strong winds. However we are grateful that the residents of Kampong Pandai Besi and Kampong Lorong Dalam cooperated in evacuating valuables and flammable items to reduce danger,” he added.
He said that in order to assist the operation, personnel from the Pengkalan Batu Fire Station, Berakas Fire Station, and Beribi Fire Station brought water. With all the assistance received, the blaze was controlled at 2.05pm.
The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports said his ministry will help the victims relocated to suitable places where they will be provided with early emergency assistance in the form of food and sleeping equipment among others.
“As of now, several places have been identified and prepared, among them include Sungai Kebun Menjalin Sports Complex, Youth Centre in Bandar Seri Begawan and the Sports Village. Also at times like these, relatives will come forward to provide the victims with shelter, as Bruneians are known to have close ties. But if assistance is needed, the ministry has prepared all required facilities for them,” he said.
Other agencies that were also present to assist the victims were the Community Development Department (JAPEM) and the Brunei-Muara District Office.
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