by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, March 25: A forest fire broke out in Similajau National Park, Bintulu, on Tuesday evening, burning more than four hectares of land as firefighters worked overnight to contain the blaze.
The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department said it received an emergency call at about 7pm and dispatched a team from the Kidurong fire station. The crew arrived at the scene at 7.38pm to find the fire had already spread across an estimated three acres of forest.
Firefighters deployed two 400-foot hose lines, along with nozzles drawing water from fire engines and a water tanker, in efforts to control the flames.
By 12.20am, the fire had spread to approximately 4.05 hectares. Authorities reported that about 80 per cent of the affected area, or 3.40 hectares, had been successfully extinguished, while efforts continued to bring the remaining 1.10 hectares under control.
Operations were temporarily halted at 2.16am due to a shortage of water supply at the scene, as reserves in both the fire engine and water tanker had been fully depleted.
Firefighting efforts are scheduled to resume at 8am with additional personnel from the Bintulu fire station.
No casualties have been reported. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.
A total of seven firefighters, a compact fire rescue tender and a water tanker, were deployed in the operation. Personnel from the Royal Malaysia Police were also present to assist. – DayakDaily
