Eight Shops Collapse in Sibu Early Morning Incident

KUALA LUMPUR, February 13, 2026 – A row of eight business premises was completely destroyed after a structural collapse occurred in the early hours of Friday morning at Jalan Pahlawan, Sungai Merah. Despite the extensive damage to the property, authorities have confirmed that no injuries or fatalities were recorded in the incident.

The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) received an emergency call regarding the collapse at 3:03 AM. According to the Operations Commander, a team from the Sungai Merah Fire and Rescue Station was immediately dispatched to the scene, located at No. 7A4, Jalan Pahlawan.

Upon arrival, rescuers found that the entire block, consisting of eight single-story shop units, had leveled to the ground. The structures were described as semi-permanent buildings.

The fire department conducted a thorough “size-up” and search operation at the site to ensure no individuals were trapped beneath the debris. Fortunately, because the incident occurred long before business hours, the premises were vacant.

“Our personnel monitored the area extensively to rule out any victims. After confirming the site was safe and there were no further risks of secondary collapses, the operation was officially called off at 3:50 AM,” the department stated in a press release.

The cause of the sudden structural failure remains unknown. Forensic investigators from the Fire and Rescue Department, along with local authorities, are expected to conduct a technical evaluation of the site to determine whether the collapse was due to soil instability, aging structures, or weather-related factors.

The total estimated financial loss suffered by the shop owners is still being assessed. For now, the area has been cordoned off to the public as a safety precaution while cleanup and further investigations continue.