CLADDING FACTOR IN EPF FIRE

THE EPF building that was engulfed in flames yesterday was wrapped in highly inflammable cladding, the same material that caused the Grenfell Tower tragedy in London.

FIRE badly damaged the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) building in Jalan Gasing yesterday. However, most of the damage from the blaze, which was believed to have started about 11.50am, was to the exterior of the building. Only a small portion of the interior of the six-storey building was damaged.

The Fire and Rescue Department and police confirmed that all 527 employees and their clients made it out of the building safely, with no injuries reported.

It is understood that the fire may have started on the first floor at the back of the building, where renovation was being conducted.

Fire and Rescue Department deputy director-general (operations) Datuk Soiman Jahid said a spark from the work was believed to have set alight the cladding on the exterior of the building.

He said the cladding was made of a highly flammable material, which was not recommended for use in construction.

He said as the fire was limited to the exterior of the building, no important documents were damaged or destroyed in the blaze.

He said there were some damaged documents on the top floor of the building, but they were not important.

“We were told that the affected part on the top floor did involve some files and documents, but they weren’t that important. Other than that, the damage is mostly on the exterior of the building.

“The fire was brought under control by firefighters before it could spread into the office space and building,” he said.

He said the hot weather could have caused the fire to spread quickly.

Deputy district police chief Superintendent Ku Mashariman Ku Mahmood said people in the building, including members of the public, were safely evacuated to the public assembly area within the compound.

About 70 firefighters were deployed from several stations in the district as soon as the Fire and Rescue Department received a distress call at 11.52am.

At least four fire engines and two turntable ladder engines were used in the operation.

Firefighters took about an hour to completely douse the flames.

The fire, as well as the thick smoke, could be seen from several kilometres away.

The scene brought traffic to a standstill along the Federal Highway, Jalan Gasing and Jalan Universiti. Peripheral roads leading to the area and the Federal Highway were also affected.

The fire was brought under control by firefighters before it could spread into the office space and building. DATUK SOIMAN JAHID Fire and Rescue Department deputy director-general