Last week, while reviewing fire-related fatalities in Malaysia and Sarawak, I was struck by the alarming reality that many of these tragedies were avoidable.
Fires caused by negligence have led to unnecessary deaths, with Sarawak recording 12 fatalities in 2024, nine in 2023, and 22 in 2022.
These numbers reflect a persistent issue that must be addressed.
This year alone, Bomba Sarawak received 2,170 fire calls, accounting for 23.34 per cent of 9,297 emergency calls for fire and rescue.
Structural fires involving residential properties made up 17.1 per cent, or 372 cases, of these incidents. Most of these fires were classified as incidental, caused by human negligence.
Forensic investigations have revealed that 57.28 per cent of fire incidents resulted from electrical failures, 14.7 per cent from gas leaks, and 13.3 per cent from uncontrolled open flames.
These causes stem from what I often call the “3L Syndrome” — Lupa (Forgetfulness), Leka (Carelessness), and Lalai (Negligence).
Unsafe behaviours, often ignored in daily routines, contribute significantly to fire outbreaks in residential areas, shophouses, offices, factories, and high-risk installations, leading to devastating property damage and loss of livelihoods.
Despite the frequency of these incidents, communities remain perplexed as to why such tragedies continue to occur. One prevailing misconception is that fire safety is solely the responsibility of Bomba and the government.
This is far from the truth. The reality is that 99 per cent of fire safety lies in our own hands, as we are fully responsible for ensuring our homes and workplaces are safe. Our compliance with fire safety measures is crucial in preventing disasters.
The question remains: Are we prepared to rise above our current circumstances and take proactive measures? Fire safety is a shared responsibility that requires collective action.
Every member of the community must prioritize fire prevention and take essential precautions, starting at home and with the younger generation.
At Bomba Sarawak, we emphasize the importance of precaution, prevention, and protection. These principles require a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including homeowners, businesses, and policymakers.
Fire safety begins with understanding the fundamental risks within our own homes. How safe is the place where we live? Do our buildings provide adequate protection?
Safety should be the primary consideration in building design, even for small residential dwellings.
However, under the current Uniform Building By-Laws, private homes are not required to comply with fire safety standards, making it an option rather than a necessity.
Only high-rise apartments, condominiums, and serviced residences meeting specific height criteria are mandated to have basic firefighting installations.
Even then, these measures only provide minimal assistance in controlling small fires before they escalate.
Ensuring occupant safety requires basic fire protection procedures, including effective escape routes that allow residents to evacuate safely in the event of a fire.
Oxygen depletion, toxic gases, and extreme heat can be fatal within minutes. Fire-resistant building design should retard fire spread within the building and to adjacent structures. However, poor design can also hinder occupants from evacuating within the required safe travel time.
Fire detection and suppression measures, including early detection systems and fire extinguishing tools, are crucial in preventing small fires from turning into full-scale disasters.
History has shown that communities forget past fire tragedies within four to five years, only to be reminded when another disaster strikes. This cycle of complacency must be broken.
Fire safety should not be a reactive response but an ingrained culture of vigilance and responsibility. It is often said that when fire is small, it serves us, but when it grows, it rules us.
A fire does not discriminate, as it can start naturally, accidentally, or intentionally. It does not wait for an invitation, nor does it respect holidays or schedules. This is why proactive fire safety education is critical.
The key to lasting change lies in education. Every individual must be equipped with the knowledge, mental resilience, and skills necessary to navigate emergencies effectively.
With the right information and quick action, people can protect themselves and assist others in times of crisis. To instil a strong fire safety culture, we need community champions — individuals dedicated to learning and promoting fire safety.
Bomba Sarawak remains committed to empowering people to become first responders in their homes and neighbourhoods, ensuring that emergencies are managed before they escalate.
Transforming mindsets requires collective effort. Education must go beyond raising awareness; it must instil a sense of ownership over fire safety.
Sarawakians must recognise that safeguarding lives and properties is a shared responsibility. To create a fire-safe community, we must all play our part in the transformation process.
By fostering local fire safety champions and embedding fire prevention measures into our daily lives, we can shift from being reactive to being proactive.
As our late Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem once said, “Kita jaga Sarawak.”
Let us take this mantra to heart, not just in governance and community welfare, but also in fire safety. Only through collective action can we truly protect our homes, families, and future generations.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the Sarawak Tribune.
