73 left homeless after fire razes wooden houses in Sibu

SIBU: A total of 73 people from nine families were made homeless after fire razed seven wooden houses in Kampung Bahru here at noon on Friday (March 22).

Nothing could be saved by the victims due to the raging blaze.

Central Zone Bomba acting chief Wan Kamaruddin said four of the houses were completely burned down while the other three about 70% to 80%.

He said due to the hot weather and strong winds, the fire which started from one of the houses quickly spread to the adjacent houses.

"We received a distress call at 12.07pm and immediately despatched 25 firemen to the scene.

"However, due to the hot weather and strong winds, we only managed to control the flames in 40 minutes," he added.

On the cause of the fire, he said the department would be sending a forensic expert to conduct an investigation.

The last big fire in Kg Hilir, which is near Kampung Bahru, was in July

2013 where more than 10 houses were completely burned down.