SARIKEI: It was a bleak Gawai eve for more than 300 villagers of RH Tuai Rumah Benan when their longhouse was razed in a fire today.

The fire broke out about 6.30pm, destroying the 16-door-longhouse at Sungai Mugu, Muara Payang near here.

The Sarikei fire and rescue station dispatched seven firefighters to the scene.

The odds, however, were against the firefighters. They took two hours to reach the area due to the remote location, which also required a 45-minute boat ride.

The wooden longhouse was razed to the ground but no casualties were reported, said the fire department’s spokesman. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.-nst