Quick response halts furniture factory fire

BINTULU: A factory’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) successfully contained a fire involving a wood-dust extraction system at a furniture factory in Kemena Industrial Estate here today (Oct 18) before firefighters arrived.

The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) received the emergency call at 11.31am. Nine personnel from the Bintulu Fire and Rescue Station responded, arriving at the scene at 11.48am with one Fire Rescue Tender (FRT) and one Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) vehicle.

Upon arrival, firefighters found that the blaze was confined to the wood-dust ducting system and had not spread to the factory’s main structure, as the factory’s ERT had already brought it under control.

Firefighters deployed two 300-foot hose lines and two nozzles, drawing water from a nearby hydrant to ensure the fire was fully extinguished and to prevent reignition. The fire was brought under control at 1.45pm.

An overhaul inspection was subsequently carried out to check for residual embers and potential ignition sources. Once the area was confirmed safe, the operation officially ended at 2.03pm.

The department estimated that 20 per cent of the affected area was damaged. No casualties were reported. The incident report provided no further details regarding the cause of the fire.