Eight infants and 38 children were among the 135 people rescued in a fire which razed a longhouse in Ulu Arip, Selangau, about 132km from Sibu, last night.

Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) Sibu district officer Frankie John Jawan said all the victims, including 12 senior citizens, two persons with disabilities and 75 adults, now had to take refuge in a house still under construction after the 18-door longhouse they lived in was completely destroyed in the fire.

The incident took place at about...