BINTULU (Jan 25): The Welfare Department (JKM) here distributed 10 sets of dry food and basic necessities such as blankets, mattresses and pillows to the fire victims of Rumah Beji Utek in Sungai Kelabat Pandan, Sebauh on Friday.

In a statement, Civil Defence Force (APM) Bintulu officer Captain Mohd Johari Mohd Taufik said the assistance was handed over to the Tuai Rumah (longhouse chieftain), who represented the recipients.

He said that as of 12.30pm this afternoon, APM had identified around 70 victims, involving 11 households.

“The detailed data collection of residents has not been carried out as some of them were not present at the location during the visit.

“The JKM urges the affected residents to gather here immediately to ensure that no one is left out,” he said, adding that the Tuai Rumah will keep an update on the information.

He added that so far, no temporary shelters have been set up as some victims are staying at the homes of relatives in nearby villages and some have gone back to Bintulu town.

It was reported that the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) received a call regarding the fire incident at 10.58pm on Thursday, which destroyed the longhouse.

“No injuries or fatalities were reported, and the cause of fire and value of losses are still under investigation,” said Mohd Johari.