Kota Kinabalu: Firefighters narrowly avoided a potentially fatal electric shock during a bushfire operation in Sepanggar recently.
The incident, which occurred in early June, involved a team from the Kota Kinabalu Fire and Rescue Station deployed to tackle a bush and forest fire near a restaurant along Jalan Sulaman.
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While working to contain the spread of the flames, firefighters discovered a tangle of electrical cables on the ground at the scene.
The cables are believed to be illegal connections installed by occupants of a nearby squatter settlement to obtain electricity unlawfully.
The presence of live wiring created a serious hazard for the rescue team operating in dense smoke and burning undergrowth.
One of the firefighters involved said the team narrowly avoided stepping on the cables after spotting them in time.
He added that there were concerns additional hidden wiring could be buried in the ground or concealed by thick vegetation and fire.
The risk of electric shock was further heightened as water used in firefighting operations is a strong conductor of electricity.
Following the incident, relevant authorities have urged Sabah Electricity to carry out immediate inspections and remove illegal connections in the surrounding squatter area to prevent further safety risks to emergency personnel.
