IPOH: The 25-year-old volunteer fireman who drowned after falling into a lake at Bandar Baru Lahat Mines on Sunday had attempted to use up the remaining fuel in the boat after a training exercise, says Perak Fire and Rescue Department director Sayani Saidon.
She said the victim and the boat driver had earlier completed the exercise safely with other participants before the incident.
The victim, a member of the Menglembu volunteer fire brigade, was taking part in a boat training exercise involving 16 participants from three volunteer brigades – Menglembu, Pasir Pinji and Pekan Baru.
“The groups had informed the department in advance about the water training exercise. However, the incident happened after the session had officially ended.
“After the exercise, there was still fuel left in the boat, so they decided to take one final round to finish it,” she said when met at the department’s headquarters yesterday.
The victim, identified as Cheng Ka-Jun, was found at 10.18pm on Monday. Sayani added that he had removed his vest before boarding the boat.
Following the incident, warning letters will be issued to the three volunteer fire brigades involved.
“There will be no penalty, but we will issue a warning to the teams. I am still evaluating whether stricter measures should be imposed on the members,” she said, adding that reminders will also be sent to all 40 volunteer brigades in the state.
Sayani advised volunteer brigades to inform the department before conducting any training exercises, especially in high-risk areas.
Separately, she urged motorists to keep a small fire extinguisher in their vehicles for emergencies.
“Having a fire extinguisher in your vehicle can help ensure the safety of both drivers and passengers if a fire breaks out. A 3kg extinguisher is sufficient for most vehicle emergencies and allows you to quickly put out a fire or at least control it in its early stages,” she said.
She recommended placing the extinguisher under the front passenger seat for easy access.
“Do not place it in the boot or at the back, as it will be difficult to reach if you are trapped,” she added.
Sayani noted that within a week, at least four or five vehicle fire cases were reported.
“With the festive season approaching, there will be more vehicles on the road,” she said.
She added that one of the main causes of vehicle fires is electrical wiring failure, often due to modifications to the original system, and urged motorists to ensure their vehicles are properly maintained.
