KUCHING: Youths who had returned to the city to set up business were among the worse hit by the fire which destroyed several shophouses at a heritage building here last Friday.
A DAP service team discovered their fate when they met with the fire victims on Tuesday.
“The youths behind a coffee shop, operational for less than three months, suffered devastating losses,” said George Lam, Special Assistant to Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii.
“Additionally, a western restaurant in the midst of renovation, set to open by month-end, also fell victim to the tragic incident,” he said.
Lam while expressing pride in the entrepreneurial spirit of the youths returning to Kuching, empathised with them over the loss of their efforts.
He led a team from the party’s Bandar Kuching Service Centre to gather essential information from the victims, categorising them into shophouse owners, business tenants, and residential tenants.
“The fire at Ewe Hai Street, engulfed six shophouses, left six supermarket staff and six families without a place to stay, severely impacting four businesses,” said Lam.
He stressed that Dr. Yii’s team remains dedicated to supporting the victims through financial aid, while also collaborating with the Fire and Rescue Department to investigate what had caused the fire.
Highlighting the historical and cultural significance of buildings here and throughout the state, Lam called for increased joint enforcement by local councils and fire departments to ensure basic facilities and safety measures in such places.
