Diesel drums, tyre pile fire in Kimanis contained after overnight operations

KFirefighters took the whole night to put out fire involving diesel drums and tyres pile at Batu 30, Kimanis here. Photos courtesy of Sabah Fire and Rescue department

By New Straits Times

news@nst.com.my 

 Pictures courtesy of Sabah Fire and Rescue department 

KIMANIS: A fire involving diesel drums and a tyre pile at Batu 30, Kimanis, was brought under control after an overnight operation by the Fire and Rescue Department. 

The blaze, reported at 6.20pm, saw firefighters from Kimanis and Papar stations arrive within 20 minutes. The fire was contained by 11pm and operations ended at 8.20am.

According to the operations commander, the fire involved six diesel drums, three of which contained fuel.

The drums had a maximum capacity of 18,000 litres each. Of the affected units, one drum contained 18,000 litres of diesel, another 10,000 litres, and a third about 1,000 litres. 

 Firefighters managed to save two of the fuel-filled drums, including the one containing the highest volume. 

 However, the third drum was about 70 per cent destroyed in the blaze. 

 A tyre pile of the size of two full basketball courts was completely destroyed. 

 Teams also prevented the fire from spreading to a nearby workers’ quarters and office. 

 A total of 16 personnel battled the blaze using water from a nearby river, with assistance from heavy machinery. 

 No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.