SANDAKAN: The Sandakan Fire and Rescue Department has advised the public against conducting open burning activities amid the current hot weather, in an effort to prevent potential disasters.
The public is reminded that open burning is an offence under Section 29(A) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974, which carries a compound of RM2,000 per offence, and upon conviction, a fine not exceeding RM500,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
Sandakan Fire and Rescue Station officer-in-charge Jimmy Lagung disclosed this when contacted on Wednesday.
This stern reminder follows a bushfire incident that occurred near Kampung Tinusa 1, Batu 7, on Tuesday evening.
The Sandakan Fire and Rescue Station received an emergency call regarding the fire at 7:25 pm. The operations commander reported that approximately six acres of land were affected by the blaze, Jimmy said.
Firefighters deployed to the scene managed to extinguish the fire using one 600-foot hose line with two nozzles, two fire beaters, two backpack pumps with water sourced from the fire engine, he added.
“The operation was brought under control at 8.10 pm and concluded at 8.28 pm. No injuries or casualties were reported,” Jimmy said.
The Sandakan Fire and Rescue Department continues to urge the public to exercise caution and avoid activities that could spark fires, especially during the ongoing dry spell. – James Leong
