KAPIT: The oldest government building in Belaga, 165-year-old Fort Vyner, was completely reduced to ashes in the early hours of yesterday.

In a telephone conversation, volunteer fire fighter Siaw Yu Lien said it was unclear what caused the fire though there had been claims that it might have started when an occupant was doing cooking while some claimed that it could have been caused by a short circuit.

The truth is yet to be established by the Fire and Rescue team from Bintulu.

The distance from Kapit to Belaga by river is some 155 kilometres.

“Nothing could be done to save the building because of the wooden structure. Within minutes, the whole building was engulfed in a ball of flame although 10 volunteer fire fighters rushed over to douse the fire,” Siaw said.

The building had a very significant role in the administration of Belaga District. Fort Vyner used to house the District Office, Treasury, Post Office, Police Department and other government offices before the new double story concrete District Office was erected and commissioned.

Before it was burnt, the building was occupied by the Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) and Drainage and Irrigation Department besides serving as staff quarters for SRB.

Built in 1850 during the reign of the White Rajah the historic wooden building served as a government administrative centre.

It stood at a strategic point at the mouth of the Belaga and Balui River overlooking the town.

It is also the oldest fort built by the Rajah. Along the Rajang River, there are three forts – at Belaga, Kapit and Kanowit.