MBKS probes dry hose, locked-away extinguishers after Stutong Market vehicle fire Kuching South City Council (MBKS) is investigating concerns over emergency firefighting equipment at Stutong Market after a vehicle was destroyed by fire on Thursday morning, with a dry fire hose and missing extinguishers hampering efforts to put out the blaze. Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said during his ShallWeeTalk live session on Saturday that the council had directed the relevant personnel to investigate and submit a report. He acknowledged that several fire extinguishers at the market had gone missing, calling it an internal security issue. Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen, who was distributing N95 masks at the market when the fire broke out, posted on social media that the fire hose had no water supply and that extinguishers were locked inside an office and not readily accessible. He urged MBKS to inspect all firefighting equipment at markets under its jurisdiction. Wee said it would be premature to draw conclusions before the investigation is completed, adding that the cause of the fire itself must also be established. The fire started around 5am on Sept 3 and was eventually extinguished by firefighters. MBKS councillors have visited the affected hawker to check on their well-being and are assisting with police reports and other matters.

Firefighters put out a 10-acre bushfire at Miri’s Kuala Baram Bypass on Sunday evening after strong winds helped the flames spread quickly. Lutong Fire and Rescue Station received the call at about 5.41pm. Six personnel left a minute later and arrived at 5.51pm. Thick smoke hampered the operation. The crew used an approximately 1,000-foot hose line, one nozzle, the fire engine’s pump and water from a hydrant. The fire was brought under control at 7.45pm and fully extinguished at 8.30pm. Personnel from Miri Central Fire Station and the police were involved, while several Miri Open Burning Emergency Mutual Aid (Mobema) teams were also at the scene. The report gave no cause, casualty details or property-damage assessment. Anyone who sees smoke or flames near the bypass should keep clear of the area and call emergency services; do not approach the fire line.

Five residents escaped unharmed after a two-storey semi-permanent house caught fire near Dewan Dayak Baru in Bau on Friday afternoon. The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (BOMBA) said it received the alert at 12.49pm and firefighters from Bau station arrived five minutes later. The fire involved the upper floor and destroyed about 70 per cent of the structure. Firefighters brought the flames under control by 1.15pm and completed safety checks before ending operations at 1.46pm. All five occupants were safe and no injuries were reported. BOMBA said the cause of the fire and estimated losses are still under investigation. Residents near the affected area should keep away from smoke, unstable structures and emergency operations. The cause, total loss and final clearance should be treated as pending until the responding authority confirms them.

The Sibu shoplot fire that destroyed 13 units has triggered a review of fire safety and firefighting issues. [image: 1784855138081-sibu-shoplot-fire-safety.jpg] Source: DayakDaily / TVS SIBU: Sarawak will raise concerns from the Fire and Rescue Department with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government after the Jalan Khoo Peng Loong shoplot fire. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the issues and recommendations from Bomba will be documented and brought up at a KPKT meeting in Kuala Lumpur. What made the fire harder to control Sibu Fire and Rescue Zone 4 chief Andy Alie briefed Dr Sim on the firefighting challenges at the site. Among the issues were ageing shoplot structures, including wooden floors, ceilings and internal parts that allowed the fire to spread faster and made containment harder. The Sarawak government will also look at the need for better firefighting equipment, building design improvements and fire safety features. Location: Jalan Khoo Peng Loong, Sibu Details: 13 shoplots were destroyed; Bomba concerns will be raised with KPKT Hot Score: 22/30 Source: DayakDaily Should older shoplots get stricter fire safety checks? What do you think?