Sarawak Cultural Village fire destroys decades-old artifacts, village remains open
A significant fire struck the iconic Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV) in Kuching on the evening of October 12, 2025, affecting one of its key heritage structures.
The blaze, which began around 7:30 PM, was confined to the Bidayuh Longhouse.
Fortunately, a swift and professional response from Bomba units across Petra Jaya, Tabuan Jaya, and Padungan brought the fire under control, and the village management has confirmed that no injuries or casualties were reported.
Extent of SCV destruction
The fire tragically resulted in the destruction of the Bidayuh Longhouse structure, one of the Village’s seven main ethnic homes.
SCV later confirmed that the structure’s contents were also consumed by the flames, including precious artifacts aged decades.
These losses represent a significant blow to the cultural treasures housed within the exhibit, which was designed to offer an immersive look into the Bidayuh way of life.
Despite the loss, SCV was quick to assure the public and stakeholders that the fire was strictly limited to the Bidayuh Longhouse.
All other cultural houses—including the Iban, Orang Ulu, Melanau, and Malay structures—remain intact and fully unaffected, preventing a much larger catastrophe for the “living museum.”
Sarawak Cultural Village operation time unaffected
In the wake of the incident, the Sarawak Cultural Village has announced that the facility remains open to visitors, ensuring minimal disruption to tourism and its educational programs.
Their popular cultural shows also remain unaffected and will carry on as usual at 11.30AM and 4PM daily.
To guarantee safety and facilitate recovery efforts, access to the immediate perimeter of the destroyed Bidayuh Longhouse has been temporarily restricted.
This allows investigators to determine the cause of the blaze, which is currently unknown, and for structural assessment teams to evaluate the site.
You can read SCV’s official statement below.
In case you didn’t know, the award winning Sarawak Cultural Village is considered a ‘must-visit’ to any visitors to Sarawak, and is home to the award winning Rainforest World Music Festival.
News and image source: SCV, Sarawak Tourism Board
