JOHOR BARU: Two temporary relief centres (PPS) have been opened in Kota Tinggi to house 112 victims of a peatland fire covering about 12 hectares along Jalan Sungai Kapal, Taman Bayu Damai, Pengerang.
Johor Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) chairman Datuk Asman Shah Abd Rahman said all the victims from 39 affected families have been placed at the PPS at the Taman Bayu Damai Multipurpose Hall and SK Sungai Kapal.
"A total of 86 people from 27 families are sheltering at the Taman Bayu Damai Multipurpose Hall, while another 26 people are at SK Sungai Kapal,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (Jan 27).
Yesterday, the media reported that the fire had spread from 5.26 hectares to 12.14 hectares due to dry and windy conditions, resulting in thick smoke drifting into residential areas.
The Fire and Rescue Department had earlier said that firefighting operations could not be carried out in Sector A due to the distant water source and limited open water supply. All personnel were instead focused on Sector B, as winds were relatively strong and the fire was spreading more actively in that area.
Persistent northerly winds have caused new flare-ups in several locations, in addition to thick smoke spreading into residential areas. - Bernama
