KUALA LUMPUR: The recent tragedy in Raub, where a family of five perished after their home was gutted in a fire, has once again brought the issue of fire safety into sharp focus, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye (pic).
The Alliance for a Safe Community chairman said while fire remains an essential part of modern life, it also poses grave risks when not properly managed.
Citing the Fire and Rescue Department annual report for 2025, Lee said 16,111 fire cases were recorded last year, with 76% involving structural fires.
"The fires resulted in 98 deaths and RM2.09bil in property losses, with 55.4% of fatalities occurring in residential homes," he said when contacted on Saturday (Feb 28).
Between 2018 and 2024, Malaysia recorded an average of about 111 fire-related deaths annually, with most incidents occurring in residential buildings.
"While industrial fires often cause significant financial losses, domestic fires remain the main site of human tragedy," Lee said.
He added that Sabah recorded the highest number of fatalities at 21 deaths, often linked to high-density settlements and limited emergency access.
Lee said forensic analyses indicate most domestic fire fatalities are caused not by flames but by smoke inhalation and delayed detection.
This is especially common in older, poorly maintained terrace houses without basic smoke alarms.
"In many cases, occupants are incapacitated before they even realise a fire has started," he said, adding that many incidents are classified as accidental.
He said fire safety is a shared responsibility involving authorities, designers, builders, inspectors and occupiers.
Lee said the Fire and Rescue Department has introduced its Strategic Plan 2026-2030, aligned with the National Fire Policy 2021-2030.
He said the plan marks a shift from a response-based approach to a prevention-focused strategy centred on community resilience.
"Community-driven initiatives are vital. Creating local champions can significantly strengthen neighbourhood preparedness," he added.
He recommended simple practices such as conducting a 10-minute night walk to check appliances and adopting a One Home, One Extinguisher rule.
He also suggested practising exit drills in the home to ensure family members can escape within seconds.
"The first five minutes of a fire are more critical than the next five hours," he said.
