| Lyna Mohamad |
TWENTY-TWO fire incidents were recorded from January to March this year, with 17 occurring in the Brunei-Muara District and the remaining five in the Belait District, according to statistics from the Fire and Rescue Department (FRD).
These fire incidents have caused B$712,160 worth of damage to houses, buildings and properties, with the greater part caused by electrical wiring faults.
During a press conference yesterday at the multipurpose hall of the FRD headquarters in Berakas, Assistant Superintendent of Fire and Rescue (ASFR) Noorzali bin Apong revealed that four out of the 22 cases were caused by unattended cooking fires, while two were caused by gas leakage, one from a discarded cigarette butt and another by grass fire.
All these cases have been categorised as Accidental Incidents while four cases of arson, malice or questionable acts were described as Incendiary Incidents.
ASFR Noorzali also highlighted statistics from the first three months of 2017 and 2018, which show that the department managed to reduce the rate of fire incidents and damages, in addition to increasing the value of the properties saved from fire damage.
In the evaluation made from January to March 2017, 32 cases were recorded, with damages of up to B$1,498,810, while FRD was able to save B$740,000 worth of property damage.
Throughout 2017, 76 house fires and 38 calls on building fires were recorded, bringing the total of cases to 116. Eighty-two of those occurred in the Brunei-Muara District, with 17 in the Belait District, 10 in Tutong District and two in Temburong District.
The cost of damages to houses, buildings and properties amounted to B$7,350,590, while the department successfully saved B$3,232,000 worth of property from fire damage.
Fifty-four of those cases were caused by electrical fires.
Other cases involved unattended cooking (16); discarded cigarette butts and gas leakage (seven each), flame retardants (three); candle fire, welding tools and vape batteries (two each); and rubbish disposal, car fire and chemical reaction (one each).
“All these causes were categorised as Accidental Incidents, while cases of arson, malice or questionable acts – which fall under Incendiary Incidents – recorded 16 cases and two fatalities in house fires last year,” said ASFR Noorzali.
With most of the cases were caused by faulty electrical wires, the FRD urged members of the public to take appropriate safety measures by switching off all unused electrical appliances, particularly extension cables, air conditioners, lighting, electrical fans, smoke exhaust fans and battery charger adaptors.
The FRD also advised that all house wiring are installed or modified by companies registered under the Department of Electrical Services, and residents should ensure that the wiring or appliances are protected around the clock and not exposed to heat or rain.
However, ASFR Noorzali pointed out that the main cause of fire incidents is human negligence.
“We urge the public to be aware of fire hazards and fire prevention, which is crucial for everyone, since a lack of awareness can lead to misery, loss of property, injuries and deaths,” he said.