Human negligence cause of Saturday's fire: Jainab
Published on: Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: State Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad said Saturday's fire that made 108 families involving 518 people including children homeless was caused by human negligence and carelessness.She sympathised with the fire victims who lost 72 houses in the fire which was the fourth to happen there so far."I feel sorry and sad that this incident which was believed caused by human carelessness and negligence had made over 500 people lose their houses in the blaze.
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"I was made to understand that a person was cooking and engrossed in WhatsApp when fire broke out in the kitchen which caused the person to flee."I really hope that this incident would make the fire victims and public fully aware on the importance of preventing fire like not building their houses too closely, and being extra careful as well as changing the wiring every 10 to 15 years, among others," she said.Jainab, who was representing the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, said this to reporters after presenting donations and cash to the fire victims by the department, Sabah Tithe Centre (PZS), Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (PGRM) and Giant Supermarket.The department contributed basic food and cash while PZS donated RM1,000 cash per family, PGRM provided pampers and milk powder for the children and the supermarket gave diapers, toiletries, sanitary napkins, household items and other essential items for each family.
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A well-known housing developer, Datuk Susan Wong donated 200 cartons of bottled mineral water for the fire victims.A total of 72 houses were destroyed in the fire that occurred at 7pm in Kg Gusung, a squatter settlement, near the Likas Fisheries Research Centre on May 23. It was learnt that several people were injured in the incident and sent to the hospital the same day.
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Also present were Permanent Secretary to Jainab's ministry Datuk Siti Sapoo Ahok, State Welfare Director Mohd Noor Wahab, PGRM Vice Chairman Chang Shui Kiong, and Giant Head of East Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam Marius Knight.Jainab said the 106 families will be relocated to a double-storey building in Kg Cenderakasih, near Metro Town Kolombong from its current shelter at a community hall in Kg Likas, this Thursday.She said the victims will be shifted to the building for temporary shelter as there will be a wedding at the Likas community hall soon."Such decision was made during a recent meeting with City Hall together with government agencies to look for ways to help out the fire victims."The Welfare Services Department will also provide collapsible partitions for the families so as to give them some privacy and one-week meals," she said.Jainab, who is also Karambunai Assemblywoman, said the fire site has been fenced up to avoid squatter houses being re-built in the area and to prevent outsiders from simply going into the site and taking away any metal and materials.She said some educational programmes would also be provided to the fire victims and the children.She said the families would be taught how to maintain cleanliness and safety at their temporary shelters and houses while the women would learn to be independent and acquire living skills like making handmade accessories and cooking.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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