Fire razes Mulu rep’s house in Bario

KUCHING: A fire destroyed the home of Sarawak Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department, Datuk Gerawat Gala, at Kampung Pa' Umor in Bario early Sunday (April 14) morning.

The state Fire and Rescue Department said the Marudi fire station received a call at around 1.40am and directed volunteer firefighters from Bario to the scene.

"Villagers, police personnel, and volunteer firefighters took action to control and put out the fire, but the house was completely burnt.

"Twenty army personnel also assisted in the operation to extinguish the fire," the department said in a statement on Monday (April 15).

It said all six occupants of the house were safe and did not suffer any injuries.

Gerawat, who is also Mulu assemblyman, was reported to have travelled to the village upon receiving news of the fire.

According to Bomba, it would take about 20 hours by road to reach Bario from Marudi fire station, located 460km away.

A Bomba helicopter was deployed to the scene on Sunday afternoon to put out the remains of the fire and investigate its cause.

The village is located in the Kelabit highlands in northern Sarawak, close to the Indonesian border.