SANDAKAN: The Sabah Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) demonstrated its critical role in community safety this weekend, efficiently managing three separate emergencies across Tawau and Sandakan in a demanding 48-hour period.
The series of incidents began with a major commercial fire on Saturday evening and continued through Sunday morning with a residential blaze and a critical rescue operation, testing the department’s readiness and resourcefulness.
The first emergency was reported at 6.41 pm on Saturday at the commercial area near Sin Onn Market in Tawau. Fourteen firefighters from the Tawau station responded within 10 minutes to find a shop engulfed in flames.
Using 200-foot hose lines and two water jets, the team brought the blaze under control within 21 minutes, preventing its spread to adjacent properties. The 30×40 foot structure sustained an estimated 95% damage. The operation was conducted with support from the police and Civil Defence Force.
In the early hours of Sunday, at 5.23 am, Tawau firefighters were despatched to a residential fire. A team of 13 firefighters arrived on the scene within seven minutes to find a wooden house completely destroyed. They brought the fire under control in 34 minutes using a single water jet.
Later Sunday morning, the department’s capabilities were tested in Sandakan with a different kind of emergency. At 9.07 am, seven personnel were mobilized to a reported locked-in emergency at Mile 8.
The team reached the location in 29 minutes and performed a forced entry using specialized equipment to access a 66-year-old male who was found unconscious.
Despite the swift response and efforts of the firefighters and an accompanying medical team, the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. His remains were later handed to the police for further action. – James Leong
Tawau on Saturday.
