BETONG: An estimated 30 hectares of peatland at a former oil palm plantation along Jalan Bungin, Serembang here caught fire today (Aug 22).
The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said it received an emergency call at 2.44 pm and deployed six firefighters from Betong station to the scene.
“Upon arrival, firefighters found that the fire involved a former oil palm plantation on peatland, covering an estimated 30 hectares.
“Firefighting operations are still ongoing,” a Bomba spokesperson said.
Bomba said efforts were hampered by narrow and difficult access to the affected area, as well as the lack of a water source at the site.
Communication was also challenging due to poor Government Integrated Radio Network (GIRN) and mobile phone coverage in the area.
As of 5 pm, firefighters were still working to extinguish the blaze.
