KENINGAU: The public are advised to clear dry waste and grass around their homes to prevent wildfires spreading easily and causing more destruction.
The advice came from Fire and Rescue Station chief Serevinus @ Mohd Nidzam Singkui after 20 acres were destroyed in a grass fire along Jalan Punteh, Saturday.
A separate fire earlier in the day left more than 20 people homeless. He warned that the current hot weather and strong winds are causing fires to spread more quickly, and urged the public not to discard cigarette butts in dry areas or carry out open burning without supervision.
“Small fires may seem harmless, but they can quickly spread and destroy large areas,” he said. He said the grass fire, located about 8km from the station, was reported at 4.37pm. A Fire Rescue Tender (FRT) and Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) unit, with eight personnel, were deployed to the scene.
“Upon arrival at 4.46pm, the operation commander found the fire spreading rapidly across a large area of dry grass,” he said.
Firefighters used fire beaters and a 200-foot hose line to contain the blaze. The operation took nearly three hours, from 4.47pm until it was fully extinguished at 7.33pm.
Serevinus said such incidents could strain emergency resources that may be needed for life-threatening situations.
Earlier that day, a separate fire broke out in Kampung Takad, Apin-Apin, causing major damage.
The Fire and Rescue Department received an emergency call at 7.06am, and the first fire engine arrived at the location, about 18km away, at 7.30am. Ten firefighters managed to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby houses.
However, the blaze completely destroyed five non-permanent houses, damaged one semi-permanent house (60 per cent) and a grocery shop (50 per cent), and destroyed six vehicles — a Proton Wira, a Proton Persona and four motorcycles.
More than 20 residents lost their homes, many of which they had lived in for decades. Firefighters used two water jets with a 200-foot hose line, drawing water from a tanker and nearby fire hydrants to control the fire. Serevinus said homes in villages are often built close together, increasing the risk of fire spreading rapidly.
He advised residents to ensure electrical wiring is properly maintained, avoid overloading power sockets, and never leave cooking unattended, especially when using wood or gas stoves.
