MIRI: A large bush fire tore through about 10 hectares of scrubland at the Kenyalang Smart City development here on Wednesday, prompting a multi-agency response that continued into Thursday.
The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department said it received an emergency call at 9.45 am on Wednesday, with firefighters from the Lutong Fire and Rescue Station mobilised within minutes. The first engine arrived at the scene at 9.58 am and found clusters of fire actively spreading across open land.
Operations commander Henry Jugah said the blaze involved patches of burning vegetation across the area, complicating containment efforts due to the scattered nature of the fire.
Fire crews began suppression work at 9.59 am, deploying two primary hose lines measuring about 700 feet each, supported by portable pumps drawing water from nearby drainage channels.
Additional equipment and manpower were provided by private sector partners, including Naim Land and Shin Yang Group’s Baramvillie unit, as well as Kenyalang Smart City personnel.
“The fire was burning in pockets, requiring a segmented approach,” he said, adding that crews worked to isolate and extinguish individual hotspots to prevent further spread.
By 5 pm, the situation was brought under control, although the fire had not been fully extinguished. Firefighters stood down at 5.31 pm and returned to base shortly after, with operations suspended and scheduled to resume the following day.
No casualties or structural damage were reported.
Firefighting efforts resumed yesterday morning with reinforced manpower involving at least six agencies and organisations. More than 40 personnel were deployed, including teams from the Lutong Fire and Rescue Station, Shin Yang (Baramvillie), Naim Land, Kenyalang Smart City, Miri Housing and Curtin University.
The operation was divided into three sectors to improve coordination and efficiency, with additional portable pumps and an aerial platform unit deployed to support suppression efforts.
Authorities have not disclosed the cause of the fire, but dry conditions and exposed vegetation are believed to have contributed to its rapid spread.
Fire crews remained at the site as of yesterday, working to fully extinguish residual hotspots and prevent reignition.
