RM3.2 billion in losses incurred due to fire

SHAH ALAM - Malaysia has incurred an estimated RM3.2 billion losses throughout the year due to damages of properties in fires nationwide.

The Fire and Rescue Services Department (JBPM) stated that the average losses were estimated at RM180,000 worth of properties due to fires recorded daily.

The value of the properties could be considered as a waste to an individual’s income and the nation’s economy.

To curb the issue Selangor JBPM would be performing inspections on 1,752 government and private premises as fire prevention measures.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department director Wan Md Razali Wan Ismail said the total was recorded within the first six months of the year starting from January.

He said of the total, 1,720 involved private premises while the rest involved government buildings.

He said the inspections of fire certificates involved premises such as libraries, hospitals or care homes, hotels, hostels or dormitories, offices, shops, factories, gathering facilities and stores.

“Selangor JBPM had done 686 inspections for the purpose of removal of fire hazards (MBK).

“A total of 485 initial inspections were done with 63 premises issued with warning notices.

“It involved offences like changes in structure, violating rules or requirements of the department and not installing fire safety equipment,” he told Sinar Harian during the National Level Fire Tactical Skills Test (UKTK-Big Bang) programme at the Selangor JBPM headquarters in Bukit Jelutong, here, recently.

He said a total of 229 Form A notices were issued during the MBK process involving several offences.

He added there were 73 re-examinations done by the Selangor JBPM to ensure that owners of premises comply with the notices issued to them.

He said the implementation of MBK detected that there were buildings that violated the law such as blocking access to fire hydrants and not having fire safety equipment.

“We issued the notices or duration for the improvements to be done by firemen and if they (owners of premises) still commit such offences, action will be taken.

“Of the total of MBK inspections until June, 39 cases were brought to court (charged) by the Selangor JBPM,” Wan Md Razali said.