FAULTY electronics and negligence are the primary causes of fire at strata properties in the capital city.
Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department director Hassan As’ari Omar said in general, many fires stemmed from electrical malfunctions such as a phone charging overnight, causing the battery to overheat.
“Other causes include the occupant’s negligence.
“We have even found improper use of high-heat sources by drug users that contributes to residential blazes,” he said in a press conference at Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department headquarters in Jalan Maharajalela.
In light of the increasing number of fires involving strata buildings over the past three years, Hassan As’ari is urging joint management bodies (JMB) of strata properties to conduct periodic maintenance of their fire safety systems.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh highlighted the need to strengthen fire safety awareness and emergency preparedness among management bodies and residents.
“Fire incidents in strata buildings have shown a concerning increase.
“In 2023, a total of 68 cases were reported in Kuala Lumpur strata properties.
“The number rose to 75 in 2024. Last year, there were 86 cases,” she said.
Yeoh stressed that it was important to ensure prevention systems, safety equipment and evacuation procedures were always in order.
She advised strata building residents to equip themselves with fire safety knowledge, such as identifying emergency routes in the building or knowing to move to a room with a window if immediate evacuation was not possible.
“Occupants in high-rises should avoid hiding in bathrooms during a fire, because these areas have limited ventilation and no secondary escape route,” added Yeoh.
She also advised individuals against soaking in a bathtub as heat from a fire can rapidly heat the water, producing hot steam that can severely burn the lungs when inhaled.
In relation to this, Hassan As’ari said there were cases of victims found deceased in bathrooms, having suffocated from smoke inhalation.
“In 2024, we recorded three fatal cases of victims trapped in bathrooms and in 2025, there were five such cases,” he said.
Yeoh later presented Hassan As’ari a mock cheque for RM50,000 as allocation to the department from the Federal Territories Department (JWP), to buy additional equipment to further strengthen its operations.
Management bodies can contact the department at bkk_kl@bomba.gov.my or 03-2148 4444 for guidance.
