Early morning blaze razes 21 homes, temple in Hutan Melintang
PETALING JAYA : An early morning fire destroyed 21 houses, a restaurant and a temple at Bagan Pasir Laut in Hutan Melintang, Perak, today.
Perak fire and rescue department assistant operations director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said no casualties were reported, according to Bernama.
He said the department received a distress call at about 4.50am, and the first fire engine arrived at the scene about 12 minutes later.
'Two fire engines from the Hutan Melintang and Teluk Intan fire and rescue stations, along with the Bagan Tiang volunteer fire brigade, were deployed to the scene.
'When the team arrived, seven houses were already ablaze. The fire spread rapidly because of the proximity of the houses,' he said.
Sabarodzi said the firefighters were hampered by low water pressure from fire hydrants and the risk of electrical arcing from active power cables in the area.
'The blaze was brought under control by 7.30am, and the firefighters managed to save 129 other houses nearby.
'An investigations is ongoing to determine the cause of the fire, as well as the extent of destruction and losses,' he said.
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Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
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Early morning blaze razes 21 homes, temple in Hutan Melintang
The Perak fire and rescue department said firefighters were hampered by low water pressure from fire hydrants and the risk of electrical arcing from active power cables. (JBPM pic) PETALING JAYA : An early morning fire destroyed 21 houses, a restaurant and a temple at Bagan Pasir Laut in Hutan Melintang, Perak, today. Perak fire and rescue department assistant operations director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said no casualties were reported, according to Bernama. He said the department received a distress call at about 4.50am, and the first fire engine arrived at the scene about 12 minutes later. 'Two fire engines from the Hutan Melintang and Teluk Intan fire and rescue stations, along with the Bagan Tiang volunteer fire brigade, were deployed to the scene. 'When the team arrived, seven houses were already ablaze. The fire spread rapidly because of the proximity of the houses,' he said. Sabarodzi said the firefighters were hampered by low water pressure from fire hydrants and the risk of electrical arcing from active power cables in the area. 'The blaze was brought under control by 7.30am, and the firefighters managed to save 129 other houses nearby. 'An investigations is ongoing to determine the cause of the fire, as well as the extent of destruction and losses,' he said.
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Malaysian Institute of Architects Environmental, Social and Governance chairman Axxu Hoi said poor ventilation and heat entrapment are common issues in Malaysia's low-cost housing sector, particularly in PPR and other affordable housing developments. Axxu Hoi. He said many affordable housing projects today adopt monotonous, high-efficiency layouts like double corridors with minimal windows and no courtyards, reducing opportunities for natural ventilation and light. 'You'll notice that when you visit most low-cost flats, there's often a lingering smell as the air is stuffy due to inadequate airflow,' he said. Hoi noted that poor ventilation is not just a by-product of affordability but also a sign of unsustainable design practices. 'In many units, air conditioning becomes a necessity, not a choice. That's not sustainable at all,' he added. Citing older flats like Happy Mansion in Petaling Jaya, Hoi said older designs tend to perform better in terms of ventilation and sustainability. 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Taking into account elements like insulation, natural ventilation, and even building materials and colours reduces the need for active cooling such as air-conditioning. (Rawpixel pic) 'Such analyses can guide better placement of structures, and identify optimal areas for playgrounds and green spaces that remain cool and usable throughout the day. 'Computational fluid dynamics can also be used to study wind flow and improve natural ventilation between buildings, to create tunnel effects that enhance airflow and reduce heat build-up,' he said. Other recommendations include conducting daylight analysis to identify dark zones in corridors or shared areas, and reduce reliance on artificial lighting. Developers integrating these simple but impactful climate strategies could set new standards for affordable living, Hoi stressed. 'While keeping costs low is important, we can still prioritise liveability and comfort. 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