FIRE has always been an essential part of human life. It powers industries, drives manufacturing processes and supports many of the activities that take place in our homes, factories and businesses.
In modern society, it is almost impossible to avoid using fire or electricity in our daily routines.
What matters, therefore, is not avoidance, but awareness, responsibility and preparedness in how we manage the risks that come with it.
Recent statistics from the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (Bomba) highlight a worrying reality.
According to the Bomba 2025 Annual Report, residential fires remain the deadliest category in the country.
While industrial fires often lead to significant financial losses, domestic fires are where the greatest human tragedies occur.
Between 2018 and 2024, Malaysia recorded an average of about 111 fire-related deaths each year, with the majority of incidents occurring in residential buildings.
In 2025 alone, the country recorded 16,111 fire cases, with structural fires accounting for 76 per cent of the total. Of the 98 fatalities recorded that year, more than half, or 55.4 per cent, occurred in residential homes.
These numbers are deeply concerning and remind us that the risk of death in building fires remains high and troubling when viewed against the country’s overall population.
The economic impact is also significant. Fire incidents in 2025 resulted in property losses estimated at RM2.09 billion, representing a massive drain on household wealth and business resources.
Sabah recorded the highest number of fatalities, with 21 deaths, often linked to high-density settlements and limited accessibility for emergency response teams.
Forensic analysis of domestic fire incidents has revealed an important fact that many people do not realise.
In many cases, fatalities are not caused by the flames themselves, but by smoke inhalation and delayed detection. Older residential properties, particularly terrace houses that are not properly maintained, often lack basic smoke alarms.
Without early warning systems, residents may already be incapacitated by smoke before they even realise that a fire has started.
When a tragedy occurs, communities often begin asking the same questions: why did it happen, and why my home, my office or my factory?
The reality is that fire incidents rarely occur in isolation. They often result from a chain of failures involving several responsible parties.
In ensuring fire safety, five critical groups play important roles.
These include the authorities who regulate safety standards, the designers who plan buildings, the builders who construct them, the inspectors who ensure compliance and the occupiers who live or work within those spaces.
Each component must exercise diligence in carrying out its responsibilities. However, beyond systems and regulations, the human factor remains one of the most decisive elements.
Many domestic fires can be traced to what I often describe as the “3L Syndrome”, which refers to lupa (forgetfulness), lalai (negligence) and leka (complacency).
These behaviours are closely linked to what we call Unsafe ABC, which includes unsafe attitudes, unsafe behaviour and unsafe conditions. When these factors exist within a household or workplace, we unknowingly invite tragedy.
This is why communities must play a crucial role in upholding fire safety awareness.
The responsibility does not lie solely with enforcement agencies, but with every individual and every family.
Last week, Bomba Malaysia launched its Strategic Plan 2026–2030, building on the National Fire Policy 2021–2030.
This strategic direction aligns with the 13th Malaysia Plan and represents an important shift in approach, moving the focus from reactive emergency response towards proactive prevention.
One of the key concepts introduced is the idea of “humanising safety”.
Instead of focusing solely on response time as a performance indicator, the new approach emphasises the resilience of communities.
The goal is to establish a whole-of-society approach in which citizens themselves become the first line of response.
As we often remind communities, the first five minutes of a fire are more critical than the next five hours.
In Sarawak, we have been working towards empowering communities through initiatives that create local champions. These individuals are trained and encouraged to take ownership of safety within their homes and neighbourhoods.
When communities understand and practise fire safety, they become an integral part of prevention efforts.
At the household level, simple habits can significantly reduce risks.
Families should cultivate the practice of conducting a short “night walk” around the house before going to bed, taking about ten minutes to check that appliances are switched off and that potential hazards have been removed.
Households should also adopt the concept of “One Home, One Extinguisher”.
Just as families consider items such as refrigerators, sofas and other appliances essential, a fire extinguisher should also be regarded as a basic necessity in every home.
Another important practice is EDITH, which stands for Exit Drills in the Home.
Families should occasionally practise escaping from their homes in low-visibility conditions to ensure they can locate keys quickly and open doors or grilles within seconds during an emergency.
It is also important to maintain clear escape routes at all times. Pathways, hallways and exits should never be obstructed because these routes may become the only lifeline during a fire emergency.
At the same time, households should ensure that electrical wiring, appliances and other mechanical equipment are regularly inspected and properly maintained.
With the Hari Raya festive season approaching, many families will soon begin preparing their homes with decorations and cleaning activities.
While this festive spirit is something we all cherish, it is also a period when fire risks can increase due to electrical decorations, cooking activities and cluttered living spaces.
Sarawakians must therefore remain vigilant and avoid creating unsafe acts, unsafe behaviour and unsafe conditions within their homes.
We were fortunate during the recent Chinese New Year celebrations in Sarawak that no major tragedies occurred.
Although a few fire incidents were reported, they were managed effectively due to the prompt response and awareness demonstrated by the communities involved.
This again highlights how critical the first five minutes of response can be. Remaining calm, reacting quickly and having a portable fire extinguisher readily available can make a significant difference in preventing a small incident from turning into a major disaster.
Fire itself has certain characteristics that we must never forget. Fire does not make appointments, it does not arrive with courtesy, it does not require an invitation, it does not take holidays and it does not choose its victims.
For that reason, fire safety should never be viewed merely as the responsibility of emergency responders. It must become a culture within our society.
By strengthening awareness, encouraging responsible behaviour and empowering communities to take ownership of their safety, we can move closer towards achieving total fire safety.
Only through collective effort can we ensure safer homes, stronger communities and a more resilient future for Sarawak and Malaysia as a whole.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at khirudin.drahman@bomba.gov.my.
