The fire engulfs the squatter house in Batu Kawah.
KUCHING (June 17): A squatter house at the Batu Kawah resettlement scheme was totally destroyed in a fire around 10.56pm last night.
In a statement today, the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said the house, which measured about 18.5 square metres, was already fully engulfed in flames upon their arrival.
Batu Lintang fire station personnel put the fire put under control within five minutes.
After ensuring the fire would not reignite, firefighters wrapped up the operation at 11.34pm.
According to a witness, the two squatters who lived in the house fled and disappeared as soon as the fire broke out.
Firefighters work on the double-storey house that functioned as a vehicle repairs workshop.
In a separate case, a double-storey house converted into a vehicle repairs workshop in Serian town caught fire around 4.50pm yesterday.
At the scene were firefighters from the Serian and Siburan fire stations, who used two hose reels from their firetrucks to put the fire under control.
Their quick response prevented the fire from spreading to the workshop area.
The house, which measured about 390 square metres, was 80 per cent damaged by the fire.
Firefighters completed the whole operation at 8.30pm.
Investigations are currently being carried out to determine the cause of both fires.