SIBU: An investigation into a fire that razed some wooden houses at Jalan Tiong Hua began today (March 30).
Sarawak Fire Department Zone 4 chief Janggan Muling said the investigation was conducted by two officers from the Kuching Bomba Forensic Unit with assistance from some Sibu firemen.
He said the work started since around 9am after all the fire victims had been instructed to leave the scene.
“We were made to understand that the residents were at the scene as early as 4am collecting scrap metal.
“The scene must be evacuated to make it easier for us to do out investigation as the fire caused the death of one man,” he said.
In the fire that broke out around 1.30am on Monday (March 29), two rows of wooden buildings made up of 14 houses were destroyed.
After the fire was put out, the remains of a man was found under a pile of burnt wood in one of the houses.
Sibu police chief ACP Stanley Jonathan Ringgit in a statement today, said the body was identified as that of 45-year-old Chiu Woei Ming.
“Chiu was sleeping in his room. However, his mother who was in another room was rescued by some members of the public,” he said.
The victim was a divorcee and worked as a laborer.
Chiu’s body had been taken to Sibu Hospital mortuary for processing.
