SIBU: Even fire hydrants are not spared by vandals.
The Sibu Central Fire and Rescue Department is appealing for the community’s support to combat the ongoing vandalism of ‘fire pumps’ in the town.
Department chief Suna Kaha said that in August alone, 16 vandalised hydrants were detected, though he suspected the number could have increased since then.
“I believe now there might be more than that number because around Sibu, we can come across many damaged fire hydrants,” he said in a statement today.
Suna urged the members of the public to lodge a police report if they happen to witness fire hydrants being vandalised.
“The fire hydrant is an essential equipment for the fire department in controlling fires posing a risk to life or property,” he stressed.
Suna said that to replace damaged fire hydrants, it costs the department about RM4,000 per fire hydrant.
Meanwhile, on the motive behind the vandalism, Suna reckoned copper from the hydrants could be the factor prompting vandals to target the equipment.
“Lately, there has been a rise in vandals damaging these hydrants to steal copper from them, possibly to sell to scrap metal buyers.
“Therefore, we seek the cooperation of all parties, whether from the public or potential buyers, to refrain from buying such items as scrap metal,” he added.
