Massive bushfire along highway
Massive bushfire along highway
29 April 2009
published by www.brunei-online.com
Brunei Darussalam — A massive bushfire destroyed four hectares of natural greenery along the Muara-Tutong Highway yesterday evening.
A cigarette butt tossed by a motorist is believed to have triggered the fire, according to Fire and Rescue Senior Supt Ranee bin Hj Othman. The dry spell, which is currently being experienced in the country, has caused bushes and grass to dry up and catch fire easily.
Led by leading fireman Metussin bin Haji Abd Hamid with assistance from Senior Supt Ranee bin Hj Othman, the acting commander of Operasi ‘C’, a total of eight fire fighters from Lambak Kanan Fire Station and Berakas Fire Station arrived at the scene with two fire engines to battle the blaze.
The smoke from the bush fire reduced the visibility of motorists using the coastal highway. The Royal Brunei Police Force was called on to assist in directing the traffic.
As there are no fire hydrants along the highway, the fire engines had to take turns in ferrying water to the scene, which hampered the effort to swiftly put out the blaze.
Senior Supt Ranee urged members of the public not to carry out open burning without permission and smokers to refrain from tossing cigarette butts into bushes, especially during the dry spell.
