Charred Remains At A House Show The Extent Of Damage Caused By Fire In Kg Ujong Tanjong, Kg Ayer, Yesterday.

Bandar Seri Begawan - A Tower of black smoke blanketed the capital's skyline early midday yesterday as a fire razed three wooden houses in the water village's Kg Ujong Tanjong.

Eyewitnesses from various parts of Bandar Seri Begawan contacted The Brunei Times, saying that they could see the plumes of rising, thick smoke from as far as Old Airport.

The Fire and Rescue Department received the distress call at 10.39am and dispatched their personnel to control the flames. Which had already engulfed the houses. Using fire engine vessels specifically for the water village, the firefighters battled the blazes, even from the muddy riverbed, which was accessible on foot due to the low tide.

Residents also helped by throwing buckets of water. As a precaution, residents of neighbouring homes were seen splashing water on the sides of their houses as a deterrent in case the fire spread.

The severity of the fire gained the attention of Home Affairs Minister Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Adanan Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Hj Md Yusof, who was at the scene of the incident.

Muhammad Sallehen Mohaddin, who lives at the house where the fire originated, said he was returning home after visiting his wife at Raja Uteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (Ripas) Hospital when he discovered the fire.

"When I entered the house, I could smell burning rubber but I did not see the fire at first. I saw a lot of smoke coming from the kitchen and it was already frightening. I immediately went to my neighbour's house and told them there was smoke. It was so hot already, so we ran outside," he added.

He said that the fire spread quickly, leaving them no time to take any of their belongings, except the clothes on their backs.

Hiasimah Besar, a resident of one of the affected houses, said she was away at the time, but her over 70-year-old mother was home asleep with the grandchildren. However, they managed to escape unhurt.

Hasimah said that at least three generations of her family have lived at her house, indicating that the family originated from Kg Ayer. She also said that occupants of the three houses razed were related to one another.

The minister told the families that welfare officials were on the way to assess if the families were eligible for welfare assistance. According to officials, more than 30 people were living in the three houses. Kadir Mat Yassin lived with four children and his wife, Hjh Norsiah Hj Matusin, a widow, lived with 12 people and the home of Hjh Salbiah had eight people living at the house. Neighbours mentioned that the houses were among the oldest in the area and a similar event took place in almost the same spot in 1998. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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