OVER the past three weeks alone, the world has been reminded—once again and tragically—of fire’s unforgiving nature.
From Grenfell Tower in the United Kingdom (2017) and Azadlig Avenue in Baku, Azerbaijan (2015), to the recent Wong Chuk Court fire in Hong Kong and an apartment blaze in Mont Kiara, the pattern is disturbingly familiar.
History shows that every decade or so, major fire tragedies recur across the globe. They happen in different cities, under different circumstances, but often with the same underlying causes.
The uncomfortable truth is this: fire can happen anywhere as long as the “3Ls syndrome” exists.
There is no clear signal or warning before disaster strikes. Incidents do not announce themselves. Only those who are prepared—those who identify risks early and take steps to mitigate them—stand a chance of minimising impact and preventing catastrophe.
At the very start, it is worth looking at our own surroundings. Are houses, offices, factories and neighbourhoods truly safe from fire? Is maintenance culture strong? Is housekeeping practised according to best standards? Do occupants have basic fire safety knowledge and proper equipment? The answers lie with the community itself. If these elements are satisfactorily addressed, then the environment can be considered a healthy and resilient one.
As members of a community, a fundamental question must be asked: are we prepared for any eventuality? Are we ready to face threats to lives, property, the environment and business continuity?
The ancient Roman maxim si vis pacem, para bellum—if you want peace, prepare for war—remains painfully relevant. The message is not about fear, but readiness; not about panic, but preparedness.
Most emergencies begin as minor incidents. When not managed or contained, they escalate—first into major incidents, then crises, disasters and, ultimately, catastrophes.
This is where the “golden rule” applies: the first five minutes matter. Prompt and correct action during those initial moments often determines whether damage remains limited or spirals out of control.
In fire safety, three principles must guide action at all times: Precaution, Prevention and Protection—the “3Ps”. Understanding basic risk mitigation is no longer optional. Risk mitigation is a systematic process to identify, evaluate and reduce the likelihood and impact of threats. It begins with risk identification—examining potential dangers that may affect lives, assets and operations—through audits, checklists, reviews of past incidents and analysis of operational and external environments.
Communities are not merely recipients of risk management plans. They are the first responders and the most vital partners in the entire process. Government agencies cannot—and must not—work alone. Japan’s experience has repeatedly shown how strong community involvement saves lives.
Effective mitigation requires clearly planned and practised evacuation routes, locally informed assembly points and continuous feedback from residents—capabilities no central agency can fully replicate.
Education and awareness are equally vital, including school-based programmes on the 3Ls syndrome, recognised disaster response teams and community “champion” initiatives.
Recent tragedies underscore this urgency. The Wong Chuk Court fire in Hong Kong, involving a high-rise residential building, resulted in devastating loss of life—particularly among the elderly who were trapped and suffocated by smoke. Similar incidents worldwide have also claimed the lives of firefighters through heat stress and toxic inhalation.
Why does this keep happening? In major cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Bahru, high-rise living has become the norm due to land scarcity. Sarawak is moving in the same direction. While lifestyles appear more modern, mindsets often remain outdated. Authorities and communities alike must confront this reality.
A Total Fire Safety approach is essential. This requires seamless integration among authorities, designers, builders, inspectors and communities. Designers must create healthy and safe buildings. Builders must construct according to approved designs using compliant materials. Inspectors must ensure strict adherence to codes and standards. Communities must maintain buildings properly, practise good housekeeping and understand the 3Ps.
The tragedies at Grenfell Tower, Azadlig Avenue and Wong Chuk Court share a devastating commonality: the use of combustible materials, particularly external cladding and façade systems.
In each case, fires that were initially manageable escalated rapidly due to renovation materials that failed basic fire safety standards—often driven by cost-cutting and profit considerations. Toxic smoke, not flames, causes most fire-related deaths. Once fire spreads through such materials, it is often already too late.
Malaysia has had its own warnings. The 2018 fire at the EPF building in Jalan Gasing, Petaling Jaya—though without loss of life—exposed failures in compartmentalisation and enforcement. These incidents are stark reminders that regulatory non-compliance is a deadly risk.
Fire safety is not the sole responsibility of Bomba or the government. While Bomba Kuala Lumpur and Bomba Sarawak have embraced Total Fire Safety—a holistic, multi-layered approach to precaution, prevention and protection—its success depends on shared accountability, partnership, education and community empowerment.
Sarawak is not without guidance. The state has robust frameworks, including the Sarawak Building Ordinance 1994 (2025), Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 (2021), and the Fire Services Act 341 (2025 Amendment), complemented by international references such as BS 9991 (Fire Safety in Residential Buildings), BS 7974 (Fire Engineering Principles), NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code) and the International Building Code (2024). These standards provide cross-references essential for designing fire safety in buildings, especially high-rise accommodation.
The challenge lies not in the absence of laws, but in compliance, enforcement and mindset.
Ultimately, fire safety begins at home and in the workplace. Feeling safe is not a privilege—it is a job and a responsibility shared by all. Change for good must begin now.
