A predawn fire in Sarawak’s Tatau district killed one person and destroyed 30 homes, leaving 97 residents homeless.
KUCHING: A devastating fire tore through a squatter settlement in Sarawak’s Tatau district early this morning, claiming the life of a 22-year-old resident and destroying dozens of homes.
The tragedy occurred at approximately 2.30am at the Sangan Bazaar squatter village, where flames rapidly consumed 30 residential structures.
Geruna Enchana, a young man with disabilities, perished in the blaze and was found in his home after firefighters brought the situation under control.
According to the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department, emergency responders arrived to find the fire already raging through the settlement.
Despite the intensity of the blaze, firefighting teams successfully prevented the flames from reaching the nearby SK Sangan primary school.
The remaining 97 residents evacuated safely without injuries.
Local welfare authorities have provided temporary accommodation for those displaced by the fire while longer-term assistance is being arranged.
Police have taken custody of the victim’s remains as investigators work to determine what sparked the early morning fire.
