Fire destroys 20 shops in Sibu

A fire has destroyed 20 shops in Blacksmith Road here today, making it the city's third fire in less than a month.

Firefighters and four fire engines took about two hours to control the fire that started at 11 am, to prevent it from spreading to nearby shops.

Among the destroyed shop were two medical labs, bookstores, bike repair workshop, jeweler/ weapons shop, private clinics, restaurants and offices of two Chinese newspaper 'The International Times' and 'Berita Petang’.

Kebakaran di sibu

According to a witness, Dr. Isaali Wasli, who has been operating Klinik Ali in the area for the past 24 years, said he was treating some patients in the clinic when the fire broke out.

He told the patients to evacuate immediately before the fire spread to the clinic, adding that the fire was believed to have started from a shop on the first floor on the same row.