THE National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) yesterday issued a warning to the public not to block fire hydrants as it could hinder the operations of the firefighters during emergencies.
“Fire hydrants are an integral part of fire protection and sufficient water supply is critical in our operations during emergency situations. Therefore, it must never be obstructed or abused,” said Yahya Hj Abd Rahman, the Director of the Centre, at a press conference yesterday following the fire incident that gutted a two-storey house in Kg Lambak Kiri on the night of March 11. The same fire took the life of a 12-year-old girl.
It took 42 minutes for the blaze to be extinguished after the first team of firefighters which arrived at the scene had difficulties locating the fire hydrant which was covered with sand and bricks.
“The first team at the scene was unable to locate the fire hydrant as it was being covered illegally by sand and bricks, believed to be used for construction works. It took the firefighters five minutes to dig up the area surrounding the hydrant. Due to the difficulties which also include low water pressure at that time, a water tanker had to be called in to render assistance, adding to the delay of our operation,” said acting deputy director of Fire and Rescue Department, Lim Hock Guan based on the report from the night of the incident.
Yahya said the department was still investigating to determine which company dumped the construction materials that covered the fire hydrant. He added that when investigators went to back to the scene on Friday, the area was already cleared of the obstructions.
Director of NDMC Yahya Hj Abd Rahman showing to the media sample photos of cases where fire hydrants were covered. Picture: BT/Al-Haadi Abu Bakar
In light of the tragic results, Yahya reminded the public, particularly residents living and contractors working nearby, to ensure that fire hydrants are not obstructed to avoid hampering rescue work of firefighters. “However, this is somehow becoming a trend, as we have been receiving similar reports of fire hydrants being covered, damaged and abused, as well as obstructed by a structures being built around it,” said the Director of NDMC.
“Although such occurrences have not hindered our operations in past cases, the incident on March 11 triggered a slight delay in our battle with the blaze,” he added.
Motorists are also reminded not to park their vehicles near a fire hydrant as this could also pose difficulty for firefighters to access it. In such cases, the Fire and Rescue Department and the Department of Water Services may take serious action to offenders who abuse government properties which include fire hydrants. Under JKR’s Water Supply Act Chapter 121 section 29.1, those who abuse water supply facilities could be fined up to $120,000. Yahya also stressed that fire exits, extinguishers and hose drills should not be obstructed or abused as well. The Brunei Times
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