Sabah records highest number of fire victims

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KOTA KINABALU: A total of 2,454 fire incidents have been reported in Sabah as of October, with losses incurred over RM89 million.

Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Wira Haji Wan Mohd Nor bin Haji Ibrahim said 27 victims had lost their lives in fires in the state, the highest number reported in Malaysia.

“Every year, around 80 to 90 people die in fires nationwide, and 27 deaths in Sabah this year constitute a third of the fire-related casualties in Malaysia,” he said in a press conference after officiating at a fire safety seminar organised by the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department here yesterday.

While fire-related losses were recorded at RM89 million in Sabah, Wan Mohd said the fire department had saved properties and valuable belongings worth RM1.15 billion.

On fire-related casualties in Sabah, Wan Mohd said close to 100 per cent of the deaths happened at home, particularly wooden houses that were located far from fire stations.

He said victims who succumbed to fires were mostly children left at home or elderly people living alone.

Fires that broke out in residential houses, especially wooden houses, made it difficult for fire personnel to arrive at the location in time to save lives because the fire spread fast on wooden structures, he said, especially those located at a distance away from fire stations.

Wan Mohd said the public should heed fire safety precautions, adding that the usual causes of fire at home were illegal electricity extensions, overloading the power supply and negligence while cooking.

At the same time, he said 88,616 emergency calls had been recorded nationwide this year as compared to 60,000 calls previously. “The increase of emergency calls was due to a rise in fire cases, especially forest and bush fires caused by long periods of drought. “A total of 53,357 fire cases and 32,905 rescue cases have been recorded in Malaysia.” On the other hand, Wan Mohd was pleased to see that 520 participants have attended the one-day fire safety seminar. “It shows the high awareness among the people in Sabah to increase their knowledge on the latest development in fire safety.” Wan Mohd also acknowledged the vast geographical area of Sabah and said fire safety seminars should also be held beyond Kota Kinabalu, such as in Sandakan and Tawau, especially in residential areas. Also present was Sabah Fire and Rescue Department director Nordin Pauzi.