KUCHING: Firefighting operations are still ongoing to fully extinguish a blaze involving piles of tyres and recyclable materials at a factory along Jalan Indah Ria, Mile 9, here.
As of 1:00 pm today, about 60 per cent of the fire had been successfully put out, with flames still visible at the rear section of the tyre warehouse.
Now entering its fourth day, Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Sarawak said operations are continuing offensively as the fire had spread deep into piles of tyres and recyclable materials, making it difficult to completely extinguish.
“Assistance from excavators is also required during the operation,” the department said in a statement.
The department added that operations was hampered as only one excavator was available to assist at the site.
The incident was first reported on October 29 at 11:10 pm, where two factories were destroyed in a massive blaze.
The fire involved a used-tyre factory and a plastic recycling plant after flames from a pile of tyres nearby spread to both buildings.
Initially, the blaze engulfed a pile of tyres measuring about 60 by 60 square feet outside the factories before spreading rapidly.
The tyre factory was completely destroyed, while the adjacent plastic recycling plant sustained about 60 per cent damage.
Fire was brought under control and prevented from spreading to other nearby buildings at 5:15 am.
No injuries or casualties were reported.
Firefighters continued their efforts the following day (Thursday, October 30) after parts of the fire reignited.
