20130607 Brunei 12 Kg Ayer homes reduced to ashes in morning inferno
Brunei Jun 07 2013 “Apartment houses” “Building” “Houses”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : 1 to 29 Injured : injured 0 or unknown
12 Kg Ayer homes reduced to ashes in morning inferno
Updated: 2013-06-07
A MORNING inferno reduced at least 12 Kg Saba Darat ‘A’ houses in Kampong Ayer to ashes, some of which were unoccupied.
The fire was doused in under 27 minutes, thanks to the help and swift action of Fire and Rescue personnel as well as voluntary fire personnel. Currently, the Fire and Rescue Department is investigating the cause of the fire.
Brunei-Muara District Officer, Hj Jamain bin Momin explained that all relevant government agencies, such as the Community Development Department (JAPEM), Brunei-Muara District Office, Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB) and Village Consultative Council, are coordinating efforts to assist the fire victims with food supply and locating shelters that can be leased with the assistance of MUIB.
Some of the victims and their families have been offered accommodation at temporary shelters provided by the government (the District Office, JAPEM and MUIB) at empty flats or those that could be rented.
“The Brunei-Muara District Office will also coordinate financial assistance from all parties, including the private sector and other individuals. Some of them might want to rebuild their homes. The Brunei-Muara District Office has no objection if the victims wish to rebuild their houses at the original site, but this will depend on the design, area and distance from one house to another to avoid any recurrence of fire,” he added.
Close to 100 people were affected by the morning fire, Hj Jamain said, adding that some of these victims might even apply to the National Housing Scheme.
Of the 12 homes, only two empty houses were given notice to be demolished. The houses were actually combined, but considered as two houses. But ever since the notices were issued, the owners did not contact the Brunei-Muara District Office.
Speaking to the Bulletin, Hj Mohd Sofian, one of the victims, said he was unable to save his belongings, which amounted to thousands of dollars. The house was home to 10 occupants, consisting of three families.
“I will have to temporarily stay at my brother’s home in Kg Pintu Malim,” he said, adding that he had been approached by government officials on “the number of occupants in the house”.
Meanwhile, Mohd Dahlan, who owns a shop just a stone’s throw away from where the fire broke out, said, “When I opened the door, the fire was huge.”
Mohd Dahlan, who has lived in the Water Village for the past 40 years, said, “I was still asleep when the blaze occurred. I heard a loud noise and thought people were quarrelling outside. Then I looked at the water beneath the nearby house and saw the reflection of fire.
“I thank Allah the Almighty that my house was not affected despite the repeated fires around this area over the past years, the last one happening in the 90s,” he said.
Twenty-two occupants from his home, including one who is ill, had to be evacuated as soon as they learnt about the fire.
Also present at the scene yesterday morning were Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Hj Md Yussof; Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Datin Paduka Hjh Adina bte Othman; as well as permanent secretaries and deputy permanent secretaries at the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Websource:Borneo Bulletin
http://borneobulletin.com.bn/index.php/2013/06/07/12-kg-ayer-homes-reduced-to-ashes-in-morning-inferno/
Date:2013-06-07
Country:Brunei