KUCHING: A total of RM 46.89 million (7.68 percent) worth of property had gone up in the smokes throughout 2020, Sarawak Fire and Rescue department (Bomba) director Khirudin Drahman reveals.
He said the main culprit of the loss in property was mainly human negligence.
“70 percent of the main culprits over fire is because of human negligence.
“Electricity faults, gas equipment, flaming fire, indiscriminate disposing cigarette butts, kerosene lamp, candle, lighter and matches are among the main causes of the flames,” he said at Sarawak Bomba Monthly Assembly ceremony here at its headquarters in Jalan Setia Raja today.
While for those fast-thinking residents, Khiruddin noted that RM 564.31 million (92.31 percent) worth of property had been able to be saved.
“The first five minutes is very critical. I have repeatedly said that each resident should equip themselves with at least one fire extinguisher.
“They were cases these people were able to douse the fire because their houses were equipped with fire extinguishers.
“Fire safety awareness and prevention skills will help to prevent more serious cases involving fire. Usually the fire cases start from small, which are mostly due to human negligence, namely the 3L (lupa, lalai, leka). To combat the 3L, the 3P approach (precaution, prevention and protection) is critical for everyone to acknowledge,” he pointed out.
He highlighted that the department would continue to double up its efforts to educate the public on fire prevention skills.
“Our community policing programmes are proven to be useful especially for residents living in the remote rural areas, where their longhouses are not accessible, and far from fire stations,” he added.
