By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, Feb 2: The Sarawak Fire and Rescue (Bomba) Department has issued 157 fire hazard notices so far this year to premises contravening fire and safety regulations.
Its state director, Khirudin Drahman, said all fire stations in the state had been instructed to inspect and monitor all premises within their jurisdiction, including supermarkets and hotels.
“We will conduct random inspection and monitoring during the festive season for the purpose of eliminating fire hazards at all sorts of premises.
“We also issue notices to operators, asking them to comply with regulations and take precautionary measures,” he said at the Fire Safety Campaign held in conjunction with the Chinese New Year at a Petronas petrol station along Samarahan Expressway today.
The campaign aims to increase public awareness about the dangers of fire.
Khirudin said Bomba had also recorded 12 fire cases within five days after the launch of the campaign on Jan 29.
He said during the Chinese New Year campaign period last year, a total of 114 calls from fire cases were received.
“Therefore, we hope that through this campaign, the number of calls and cases be reduced by avoiding fire and tragedy from happening. We would like to remind the public to be extra vigilant during festive seasons,” he said.
He blamed the fire cases on the `3Ls’ (Lupa, Leka, Lalai (forgetful, complacent, careless), labelling them as the “culprit” because home fires happened from small but hazardous mistakes.
“During the festive season, we tend to get excited and end up making silly mistakes, such as leaving electrical appliances on or be negligent during cooking. Any ensuing fire will spread rapidly, and by the time your neighbours noticed what is happening, it will be too late,” he added. — DayakDaily
