The blaze, which struck the Rumah Benang Anak Pirang at 6.45pm, left the residents homeless, and with just the clothes on their back.

The fire is believed to have started in the kitchen of a room at the longhouse.

A resident, Jakeni Jeral, 57, said he and his wife had just arrived at the longhouse from Bandar Sarikei when the incident occurred.

“We could not salvage any belongings as the fire had already engulfed the longhouse. All our preparations to celebrate the Gawai Dayak tomorrow have gone up in smoke.

“What is important is that we managed to save ourselves and our families. (However) We have been rendered homeless (by the fire).

“I appeal (to the authorities) that all fire victims be relocated to Bandar Sarikei as there is no place for us to take shelter,” he said when contacted by Bernama.

Jakeni, who has lived in the longhouse for five years, said the other residents were also unable to salvage their belongings as the fire had spread quickly.

They were, nevertheless, grateful that no one was injured, he said.

Meanwhile, Kuching Fire and Rescue Department assistant director (operations) Farhan Sufyan Borhan said a team of seven firefighters and rescuers from the Sarikei Fire and Rescue station were despatched to the scene by boat, a 45-minute journey.

The Sarikei Social Welfare Department said the fire victims would be temporarily accommodated at Sekolah Kebangsaan Muara Payang.

– BERNAMA