KUALA LUMPUR – A fire broke out and engulfed five residential units on the 17th floor of Block 70, Flat Sri Sabah, here this evening.
Fire and Rescue Department Operations Director, Nordin Pauzi, said the department received a call at 9.19pm and deployed 55 firemen from four nearby stations.
He said they were assisted by 39 other officers from different agencies, adding that the fire affected five out of six units on Block 70’s top floor.
“There are six units on the floor, but five were affected by the fire. The most affected is unit number 3. The fire was contained at 11.22pm,” he told reporters at the site tonight.
“Maybe there were problems with the (roofing) and the fire spread to other areas. We will conduct further investigation.
“No injuries were reported and all victims have been put under the care of the Welfare Department (JKM).”
Nordin added that two units were empty during the incident, speculating that the inhabitants were on holiday amid the Chinese New Year celebration.
“JKM will assist with temporary relocation (for the victims). We will allow the other residents, especially those from the 16th floor, to return to their respective homes at 2am.
“They may face issues with water pressure, but electric supply should not be a problem,” he said.
Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department Deputy Director Rohizan Anwar Mamat told Scoop that the affected residents would be housed in Sekolah Kebangsaan Sri Cheras.
He said this would be coordinated by the Welfare Department.
“This would be for (some of) those living on the 16th and 17th floor of the flat, but the majority of those in the lower floor would not need temporary shelter,” he said.
“There may be water disruptions because of an affected pump room and a broken tank.”
Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s enforcement is assisting the Fire Department in putting out the blaze.
“I was just informed of a fire in several units at Flat Sri Sabah,” she said in a tweet.
“DBKL enforcement officers are working together with the Fire Department to put out the fire. I have instructed DBKL to provide all assistance needed immediately.” – February 11, 2024