Rokiah Mahmud

Three units of bungalow houses at Jalan Kebangsaan were guttered by fire on the first day of Ramadhan, believed to be triggered by an overheated mobile electrical wiring used for LED lamps. No fatalities were reported, though damages are estimated to stand at under BND7,000.

The Fire and Rescue Department (FRD) received a distress call at 8am and dispatched three fire trucks and 16 personnel from the Berakas Fire Station and the Women’s Operation Unit.

Acting Fire Station Officer Mohammad Firdaus bin Yussof led the team in dousing the flames within five minutes.

When the FRD team arrived, a huge blaze was sweeping its way through a store at the back of the rented houses.

The fire is believed to have started from unit 6D.

The bungalow units belonged to a local man. Units 6C and 6D were rented by Malaysians, while 6E was occupied by a Filipino.

Acting Director of Fire and Rescue Lim Hock Guan, Deputy Commanding Officer of Operation ‘C’ Branch SFR Haji Mustapa bin Haji Mohamad; Berakas Fire Station Commander ASFR Mushidee bin Junaidi; Head of Law Enforcement and Fire Safety Investigation ASO Sulaimi bin Abdullah Awi; and ABKS 279 Soetrisno bin Shahminan were also present.

The FRD reminded the public to not connect electrical wires without obtaining permission from the authority/licensed agency, ensure all electrical wiring is in good condition, switch off all unused electrical supplies and to have a fire extinguisher and fire blanket in their premises. Contact the FRD hotline at 995 and provide correct information in the event of an emergency.