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By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Aug 29: The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) has today clarified that the firefighters did not encounter any problems in using the nearest hydrant (BTL-C-163) when extinguishing the fire involving five houses at Lorong 16, RPR Batu Kawa here yesterday afternoon (Aug 28).
Sarawak Bomba director Datu Khirudin Drahman@Hussaini said the team received a call about the fire at 1.12pm and a team from Fire Station (BBP) of Batu Lintang and BBP Padungan was immediately deployed to the location.
Upon arrival, the team had used the hydrant which was located about 9 meters away from the burning houses.
“The physical condition of the pillar hydrant was not satisfactory because it has lost its ‘chamber’ and ‘false spindle’ apart from its structure being 1 foot lower from the ground level, which is possibly due to the shift in soil movement at the roadside.
“However, when the hydrant was used, it was able to produce adequate water for the fire extinguishing works until the end of the operation.
“Therefore, Bomba team did not encounter any problem with regards to the use of the hydrant throughout the fire extinguishing works. The operation ended at 4.42pm,” he said in a statement today.
Yesterday (Oct 28), Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen through a Facebook post alleged that the Bomba team encountered a problem during the tragedy, whereby the fire hydrant was found to be ‘covered’ due to the work by a contractor under the Public Works Department (JKR) or local council, which obstructed and delayed the fire extinguishing work. — DayakDaily
