BINTULU: The Gawai Dayak celebration for more than 300 residents of Rumah Panjang Ugop Umpin in Kuala Sigu Pandan, Sebauh near here turned tragic after the 43-door longhouse was destroyed in a fire last night.
A Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department's operations centre spokesman said a team of firefighters from the Bintulu Fire and Rescue station was rushed to the scene after receiving a distress call on the incident at 12.41am.
The spokesman said no injuries or casualties were reported, as all 325 residents managed to escape to safety when the fire broke out.
"The team took three hours to reach the location, navigating through palm oil plantation roads, which are only accessible using a four-wheel drive vehicle," the spokesman said.
Upon arrival, the team found that the fire had already destroyed the entire structure of the longhouse.
All affected residents, he said, are seeking shelter at SK Kuala Sigu, located about 300 metres from the longhouse.
"The cause of the fire and the estimated losses incurred by all residents are still under investigation," he said.