SIBU: A fire destroyed nine food stalls at the Taman Muhibbah temporary hawker centre, Jalan Tapang Timur 2 on Wednesday (Feb 15).
Sungai Merah fire station chief Abdul Mutalif Ja’afar said they received a distress call at 1pm.
Firefighters were promptly deployed to the scene, some 3km from the station, to commence extinguishing work.
“The flames were brought under control at 1.07pm and completely extinguished at 1.56pm.
“No injuries or casualties were reported in the incident.
“The team also moved all the gas cylinders from the food stalls to a safer place,” he said.
The cause of the fire and losses incurred are still under investigation.
Meanwhile, Sibu Municipal Council chairman Clarence Ting Ing Horh, in a Facebook post, said the centre would be closed as there is no electricity supply following the fire.
“Since the new Muhibbah hawker centre (in Jalan Pedada) is ready, the council will be moving forward the opening date.
“The move (to the new hawker centre) was previously delayed at the requests of the traders due to Chinese New Year,” he said.
The new centre has 40 lots and is equipped with facilities for people with disabilities and mothers.
