A fire destroyed a house and a seafood restaurant near Canada Hill at Jalan Miri-Pujut here yesterday.

There was no report of injuries in the incident, said to have occurred around 11.30am.

The thick smoke billowing from the scene caught the attention of hundreds of motorists passing the area, which caused a traffic jam.

Santi Ukok, 32, who rented a room at the restaurant, said she was watching television when she heard a loud bang. Her rented room was also destroyed in the fire.

“I was at home with my two girls, aged four and one – my other two children, aged 13 and eight, were at school. Suddenly, I heard a loud noise. I thought there was a commotion outside but when I went to check, I was shocked to see thick smoke billowing and the flames, which spread very quickly,” she told reporters here.

Santi, a single mother, said she immediately went back to the room and took her two children who were sleeping at the time, out of the premises.

She also managed to grab a few important documents and some clothing before fleeing.

Santi’s two other relatives, who lived with her, were not at home when fire broke out.

Meanwhile, 11 personnel from Miri Fire and Rescue station – located 2km away from the scene – rushed over after receiving a distress call at 11.37am. They arrived at 11.39am. They were assisted by firefighters from the Lopeng station.

The operation ended at 1.20pm.

The cause of the fire and total losses are still being investigated.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by Jenifer Laeng

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