KUALA LUMPUR – The faulty fire extinguishing system on the 17th floor of Blok 70, Sri Sabah Flats, Cheras, made it difficult for the Fire and Rescue Department to extinguish the fire that occurred on the floor last night.
Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department director Nordin Pauzi said this had forced the department to put a water pump on the 16th floor to facilitate the extinguishing process with water.
“There is an extinguishing system on the floor, but it is not fully operational, forcing the fire department to rely on existing equipment to bring water to the top floor.
“So we had to deploy a pumping relay to the 16th floor. When the pump functions properly, the water pressure in the area is also good, and the extinguishing process runs smoothly,” he said during a press conference last night.
A fire broke out and engulfed five residential units on the 17th floor of Block 70, Flat Sri Sabah, last night.
Nordin said that the fire is believed to have originated in unit number three and subsequently spread to adjacent units on both sides of the floor.
He also added that the residents may experience water supply disruptions today, but electricity will remain unaffected.
Meanwhile, Cheras district police chief Zam Halim Jamaluddin said that preliminary investigations found no criminal element involved in the incident.
“Further investigations will be carried out by the fire department, and any developments will be notified,” he said.
A total of 50 policemen will also be stationed at the location of the incident for security and monitoring purposes to ensure that the situation remains under control. – February 12, 2024