20160131 Brunei 80 squatter houses destroyed in fire near Tawau old airport
Brunei Jan 31 2016 “Houses”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : more than 70 Injured : injured 0 or unknown
80 squatter houses destroyed in fire near Tawau old airport
Updated: 2016-01-31
About 1,000 residents living near Tawau Old Airport here were left only with the clothes on their back in a fire which destroyed 80 squatter houses in the area yesterday.
Tawau Fire and Rescue chief Ismaidi Ismail said 27 firefighters in five engines rushed to the scene after receiving a distress call at 9.41am and managed to prevent the fire from spreading, despite the low water pressure.
He said efforts were made to completely douse the flame using the fire hydrants at Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar and Masjid Raya, apart from pumping water from a pond at Taman Muhibbah.
The firemen were assisted by the police, the People’s Volunteer Corps (RELA), Civil Defence Department and members of the public in putting out the fire and to rescue the victims, he said when met by reporters at the scene.
He said the Fire and Rescue Department was investigating to ascertain losses incurred in the fire.
Meanwhile, a victim who only wanted to be known as Andi Maladika, 36, said the fire was the fifth since 1987.
He said he had been living in the area with his family since 1977.
Web Source: Borneo Bulletin
http://borneobulletin.com.bn/80-squatter-houses-destroyed-in-fire-near-tawau-old-airport/