Fire breaks out at Pulau Burung landfill, prompts mass deployment

GEORGE TOWN: A fire at the Pulau Burung landfill on Sunday (July 21) prompted the deployment of 117 personnel from various departments.

State local government committee chairman, Jason H’ng Mooi Lye said that the team included 18 firefighters from the Nibong Tebal, Batu Kawan, Bertam, and Bandar Perda fire stations, along with 57 volunteer firefighters from nearby areas.

“Additionally, 42 personnel from the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) joined the operation,” he said in a statement on Sunday night.

H’ng said that the fire began at 12.05pm and was initially tackled by MBSP workers at the site, but strong winds hindered their efforts.

Following a distress call to the state Fire and Rescue Department at approximately 12.08pm, firefighters arrived within 12 minutes.

The firefighters first created a water barrier to stop the fire from spreading.

MBSP staff on-site also helped to isolate the area by creating a firebreak.

“The firefighting operation included turning over debris and spraying water,” he added.

The Jawi assemblyman explained that, as a containment strategy, the affected areas were covered with laterite soil to prevent the fire’s spread.

The fire was successfully brought under control at 5.23pm.

H’ng suggested that the likely cause of the fire was the recent prolonged hot weather reacting with the landfill’s waste material.

During the effort to extinguish the fire, three fire engines and two water tanker lorries from the state Fire and Rescue Department were in action.

The volunteer brigade used five of their own fire engines and two water tanker lorries.

“From the MBSP, six water tanker lorries, three excavators, three bulldozers, and four lorries were deployed,” he mentioned.

To avoid future incidents, H’ng stated that the MBSP has increased surveillance on the landfill’s slopes and will enclose waste in high-risk areas as required by regulations.

The MBSP will also secure additional water tanker lorries to be ready in case of another landfill fire.

H’ng then said that he is grateful to the state Fire and Rescue Department and the volunteer brigade for their swift response and efforts to put out the fire.