MARANG: The Fire and Rescue Department has recorded 76 cases of fire occurring in school areas nationwide so far this year.
Its director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said that 60% of the cases were caused by electrical-related factors.
"Whether due to wiring, the use of electrical equipment or 'resistance' to electricity supply, these three elements contributed to approximately 60% of the causes.
"We did not categorise fires as happening in classrooms, laboratories, stores or others but we instead categorised them as the entire school area," he told reporters after the 'National Firefighter Drill 2025' closing ceremony at the parade ground, Fire and Rescue Academy (Eastern Region) in Wakaf Tapai near here on Tuesday (July 29).
In another development, Nor Hisham said the fire department had begun moving heavy machinery to where four wildfires are burning in Sarawak.
He said the heavy machinery was to "cut" the fire line to control rapidly spreading flames.
"If hot weather continues, fire will descend into peatland areas so we have to prepare ourselves to carry out total flooding," he said.
He said the fire department also received assistance from various parties to control the fires, such as large companies that own land in the affected areas.
A department spokesperson earlier said wildfires were still reported in four locations in the state, involving a total area of about 88ha.
Nor Hisham advised the public nationwide not to conduct any open burning, including burning garbage, especially in this hot season to prevent fires from occurring.
"Although the number of wildfire cases this year has dropped by 50% compared to 2024, we are worried of fires occurring in peatland areas because they will spread very quickly," he said. – Bernama
