Mind the kitchen stove strictly during Gawai celebration — Fire chief
SIBU: The Fire and Rescue Department ( Bomba) calls on longhouse occupants to ensure stringent fire safety measures when preparing for the coming Gawai Dayak celebration.
Giving this reminder yesterday, Bomba Sibu zone chief Abdul Mutalib Rashid warned that unattended cooking and electrical overloads could trigger a fire.
He recalled that last year, Sungei Merah fire station recorded three cases of longhouse fire affecting 39 doors with losses totalling RM1,287,000.
From other cases, they managed to save properties worth about RM1.3 million from going up in smoke, he added.
“In January this year, fire gutted an eight-door longhouse in Selangau, with losses at RM490,000.
“Therefore, it is very important that we do not let our guard down in the midst of preparing for the occasion to prevent any untoward incident,” Abdul Mutalib told The Borneo Post.
Abdul Mutalib added: “In any festivity, people need to take precautions as the kitchen will be turned into a hive of activities.
“Stop cooking if you feel tired or need to attend to some urgent business upfront or answering a telephone call.
“It is dangerous when there is nobody tending to the cooking.”
He revealed that most longhouse fires originated from the kitchen.
The Bomba chief stressed the importance of switching off gas regulators after cooking or before retiring to bed.
The additional safety step, he added, was to prevent any gas leakage, pointing out that there were two incidents of gas explosions, namely in Ulu Sungei Merah and Sibu Jaya here.
He also reminded people to be aware of the sources of fire in their premises.
Anticipating many activities, including karaoke singing, he said care must be taken in the use of electrical appliances.
“It is imperative to ensure there is no electrical overload with the gamut of activities going on,” he said.