Lightning strike sets Gunung Tempurung on fire

KAMPAR: The foot of Gunung Tempurung at Kampung Sungai Siput Selatan here caught fire due to lightning Friday evening and its racing up to the summit as firemen battle to control it.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department Zone 1 chief Ruhisha Haris said they were alerted at 7.49pm by people who saw the fire from a distance.

 "We managed to control the fire today and are preventing it from spreading. We'll create a fire-break if needed to protect the mountain next to it," he said at the scene.

He added that they were hampered by the steep 80 to 90 degrees slope on the mountain.

He said the fire was expected to reach the mountain peak in three to four hours time and aerial surveys by helicopter would be carried out to keep a close eye on the situation. - Bernama