Prompt action by staff at Tapah Prison successfully prevented a fire from spreading and causing major damage to the facility’s kitchen area on Saturday.
The emergency call was received by the Tapah Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) at 10.37am after kitchen equipment at the Food Preparation Unit caught fire.
Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Division Assistant Director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said the blaze affected around 30 per cent of the kitchen roof area.
He said firefighters found that the fire had already been extinguished upon arrival at the scene, following an early response by prison staff who used fire extinguishers to control the situation.
According to Sabarodzi, the automatic wet chemical fire suppression system installed at the kitchen area also functioned effectively and assisted in the firefighting efforts.
A total of seven firefighters were involved in the operation, which continued with monitoring activities to ensure there was no risk of the fire reigniting.
The fire was completely brought under control at 10.56am, while the operation ended at 11.05am after the area was confirmed safe.
Sabarodzi added that no casualties were reported in the incident. The swift response by prison personnel helped minimise further damage and prevented the situation from escalating.
