Sarawak deputy minister’s house burns down

The fire that destroyed Sarawak deputy minister Gerawat Gala’s house yesterday. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: The house of Mulu assemblyman Gerawat Gala was razed in a fire in Kampung Pa’ Umor, Bario, Sarawak, early yesterday morning.

Astro Awani reported state fire and rescue department chief of operations Henderi Ardimansyah as saying that the Marudi fire and rescue station had received an emergency call at around 1.40am.

It immediately sent six members of the Bario volunteer fire and rescue association to extinguish the flames.

“The operation was aided by 20 officers and army personnel stationed at Bario, as well as villagers,” he said.

Henderi said the Marudi station sent a MI17 helicopter to conduct forensic work, as the station is 460km away from the house and 20 hours away by land.

“The fire involved a private single-storey house on columns which burned down completely.

“All seven inhabitants, including Gerawat, were reported safe and managed to escape when the fire happened,” he said.

Gerawat, who is also a deputy minister in the premier’s department (labour, immigration and project monitoring), returned to the site yesterday evening to help investigators compile their information.

The value of the losses is still being investigated.