Bush fires delay fire engines to burning Sibu village

The Sibu Fire and Rescue Department arrived late at the Kampung Datu Lama fire which razed a village on Tuesday evening because firemen were fighting several bush fires around the town and in Tanjung Manis.

Sibu Fire and Rescue Department Zone chief, Senior Supt Abdul Mutalib Rashid said during the incident, all fire engines and personnel rushed to the area as soon as they received calls from members of the public.

"Several bush fires also took place earlier, namely at Kilometre 10, Jalan Oya Sibu, Jalan Sentosa Sibu, Kampung Kut, Semop, Tanjung Manis and Kampung Bahagia Jaya.

"When the fire began at Kampung Datu, all fire engines were not at the station but we in turn called all fire engines and personnel to rush to the location," he told reporters in Sibu, Sarawak.

Mutalib said strong winds coupled with dry weather and the construction material used for building the houses in the village resulted in the rapid spread of the fire. A fire engine from Kanowit was also rushed to the site to assist, he said. - Bernama, June 21, 2013.