The Fire and Rescue Department in Sibu is urging the public to help protect fire hydrants after around 50 units were vandalised, with their copper parts being the main target.
Suna Kaha, the chief of Bomba Central Station, revealed that during an inspection on Nov 8, it was discovered that between 40 and 50 fire hydrants had been vandalised. This is a significant increase compared to the 16 hydrants that were reported as damaged in August, prompting a police report to be lodged.
The perpetrators are believed to have used a large hammer or similar object to smash the nozzle of the hydrants in order to steal the copper components, which are then sold to scrap metal collectors.
Kaha appealed to scrap metal collectors and shops to refrain from purchasing stolen copper components from fire hydrants. He emphasized the importance of safeguarding fire hydrants, as they play a crucial role in fire emergencies.
He also urged the public to report any damaged fire hydrants to the department or the police, highlighting the serious risks involved when fire hydrants are non-functional due to vandalism, as this could potentially lead to loss of life and property in the event of a fire.
Calling for the local community to work together in monitoring and protecting fire hydrants, Kaha stressed the importance of informing the authorities about any instances of vandalism to ensure the safety and security of the community.
