By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Dec 11: A fire broke out inside the Mydin Tunku Vista Mall this morning, prompting a full evacuation of shoppers and workers, with no injuries reported.
Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) director Jamri Masran said the department’s Operation Centre received an emergency call at 11.32am regarding a fire involving a sports and footwear shop inside the mall.
Following this, teams from Petra Jaya, Batu Lintang, and Tabuan Jaya fire stations rushed to the scene.
“Petra Jaya arrived within minutes and managed to control the fire early as the affected shop was not large.
“But because it’s inside a big enclosed building, the smoke spread fast,” he told reporters at the scene today.
He further said the fire alarm prompted the safe evacuation of 113 shoppers, staff and visitors, with no injuries reported.
Jamri said the biggest challenge was clearing the heavy smoke after the building’s electricity supply tripped.
“With no power, the internal fire safety systems were down. The hose reel couldn’t be used.
“Only the mechanical smoke extraction system was working, but not effectively,” he explained.
He added that firefighters relied entirely on hydrants and their own engines for water supply, while also releasing smoke through the roof and the building’s mechanical system to bring the fire under control.
At the time of writing, the blaze has been fully extinguished, and firefighters are conducting overhaul checks to ensure there is no further risk.
About 50 Bomba personnel were deployed, supported by police and the Civil Defence Force (APM). — DayakDaily
