PAITAN: Two separate fires in Paitan and Tawau over 24 hours caused significant damage but no injuries or loss of life.
Early Sunday (April 5), a two-storey wooden church dormitory in Kampung Tulid, Paitan, caught fire. The Beluran Fire and Rescue Station received the alert at 3.26 am. The 30-by-60-foot structure was about 50 percent damaged.
Seven Beluran firemen, arriving at 7.07 am after a 194-km journey, used a nearby pond to douse the flames. The fire was brought under control by 8.01 am. They were assisted by the Civil Defence Force in the operation.
In an earlier incident on Saturday (April 4), a wooden house in Felda Umas 3, Tawau, was completely destroyed. The emergency call came at 11:53 am. The Umas Volunteer Fire Unit responded quickly, using a hydrant-fed hose line. The fire was controlled by 12.41 pm. Two personnel from Tawau later joined seven volunteers inspected to ensure the site was safe. Operations ended at 4.15 pm.
Investigations into the causes of both fires are ongoing. – James Leong
Beluran firemen putting out the fire at the church dormitory in Kampung Tulid on Sunday.
