KUCHING: During Ramadan, kitchens across Sarawak often become the busiest place in the home as families prepare meals for sahur, iftar and ultimately, the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.
Amid the festive preparations, the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) is on its part reminding the public that the increase in cooking activities also brings a higher risk of kitchen fires if proper precautions are not taken.
Sarawak Bomba deputy director of Fire Safety Division Ahmad Nizam Sapaiee said a total of 66 fire incidents were recorded during the Ramadan and Aidilfitri festive period over the past three years, with residential houses accounting for the majority of cases.
“Of the total, 37 incidents involved residential homes, representing more than half the cases recorded during the period.
“This shows that residential fires remain the most common type of fire during the Ramadan and Aidilfitri festive season,” he told Sarawak Tribune.
Ahmad Nizam said the higher number of house fires during this period is often linked to increased household activities.
During Ramadan and the lead-up to Aidilfitri, cooking activities increase significantly, he said.
“Electricity usage also becomes higher, and in some cases, houses are left unattended when families return to their hometowns,” he added.
Statistics from Sarawak Bomba also indicated that fire incidents tend to rise during the festive season.
A total of 18 cases were recorded in 2023, increasing to 25 cases in 2024, before slightly declining to 23 cases in 2025.
In 2024, residential properties made up the largest portion of incidents, with 15 of the 25 cases involving houses, while other premises included shops, offices and industrial buildings.
Similarly, in 2025, 12 of the 23 recorded cases involved residential homes, followed by incidents at dormitories, clinics, workshops and other types of buildings.
Bomba statistics also showed that electrical faults such as sparks or short circuits were among the most common ignition sources during the festive period, alongside overheating electrical equipment and gas appliances.
As such, Ahmad Nizam said the most common causes of kitchen fires include electrical short circuits, embers from cooking appliances, overheating electrical equipment and gas-related incidents.
He said fires often occur due to everyday habits that may seem harmless.
“Incidents can happen when cooking is left unattended, when cooking appliances are used for too long, or when faulty electrical equipment is used without proper maintenance,” he said.
Based on operational experience, he added that some of the most common mistakes made by the public while cooking include leaving the stove unattended, cooking over high heat for extended periods, using damaged electrical appliances and plugging multiple devices into a single socket.
Cases involving overheated cooking oil or gas leaks also remain among the major contributors to kitchen fires.
“If the situation is not controlled quickly, the fire can spread to kitchen cabinets, curtains or even the ceiling structure,” he explained.
In view of this, Ahmad Nizam advised families preparing meals for sahur and iftar to remain attentive while cooking.
Among the safety measures recommended are avoiding leaving the stove unattended, using moderate heat when frying food, ensuring gas cylinders and hoses are in good condition and keeping flammable materials away from the cooking area.
He also encouraged households to keep a small fire extinguisher at home as an additional safety measure.
With many families planning to ‘balik kampung’ during the festive season, Ahmad Nizam reminded homeowners to take precautionary steps before leaving their homes.
These include switching off unnecessary electrical appliances, unplugging unused devices and turning off the main power supply if necessary.
They should also ensure the gas cylinder valve is properly closed and that no open flames such as candles or oil lamps are left burning.
Homeowners are also advised to inform neighbours and ensure doors and windows are properly secured.
Ahmad Nizam stressed that many fires during festive periods can be prevented if the public practises greater caution.
He said the department continuously reminds the public to prioritise fire safety throughout the Ramadan month and the Aidilfitri festive season.
“Most fires can actually be avoided if people are more careful while cooking, using electrical appliances and before leaving their homes,” he said.
As such, he reminded the public to avoid the “3L syndrome” — lupa, leka dan lalai (forgetfulness, carelessness and negligence) — which can lead to property loss and even loss of life.
“Remember, prevention is always better than putting out a fire. By staying vigilant and practising fire safety, we can ensure our families remain safe and prevent the festive season from turning into a tragedy,” he said.
