KUCHING: Victims of Monday’s longhouse fire at Uma Bawang in Belaga district received aid and assistance from Sarawak Energy.
The assistance, in the form of food and clothing, was distributed to the victims immediately in the aftermath of the incident.
Some 500 residents were affected by the 6pm fire which destroyed 42 units or bileks in two longhouse blocks and a community church.
The victims are currently putting up at neighbouring blocks of the longhouse and the nearby kindergarten.
Uma Bawang, comprising five longhouse blocks with 112 units, is situated about 50km away from Bakun Hydroelectric Powerplant (HEP).
The longhouse was one of 15 moved to the Bakun Resettlement Area to pave way for the hydropower project 20 years ago.
According to Sarawak Energy corporate social responsibility and sustainability general manager Jiwari Abdullah, the company contributed RM21,000 to the victims to assist in their welfare and another RM5,000 each for the community church and the Sungai Asap Fire Fighter Volunteers Association.
The state’s sole power provider was among the first to deliver immediate relief aid such as food, clothing and toiletries for the victims, with more assistance delivered the following day after the fire.
“We will also continue to work with and assess the longer-term needs of our neighbouring communities in mitigating this ever-present longhouse fire risk.
“We will work together with the Welfare Department, Belaga District Office, community leaders and the Sungai Asap Fire Fighters Volunteers Association in this,” he said.
Jiwari said Sarawak Energy sponsored a fully equipped fire-fighting vehicle in Nov last year to replace the older vehicle for the Sungai Asap Fire Fighter Volunteers Association.
The team was on scene to help fight the blaze before the official Fire Brigade arrived from Bintulu.
Since the acquisition of the Bakun Hydroelectric Power (HEP) Dam, Sarawak Energy has worked closely with the Sungai Asap Fire Fighter Volunteers Association on Fire Safety Awareness and Prevention Programmes for the longhouses in the Bakun Resettlement Area.
The corporation also assists in training programmes for the association members and has contributed fire extinguishers and firefighting equipment to the communities.
