Malaysians Hail 'Abang Bomba' For Their Selfless Honesty
Thank you, heroes!
By Tang Ruxyn — 26 Oct 2016, 10:52 AM
Malaysians were shocked over the deadly fire incident at Johor's Sultanah Aminah Hospital which killed six people yesterday, 25 October
The fire, which broke out at about 8.50am yesterday morning at Johor's biggest hospital, killed six patients at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), while a staff was severely injured.
According to eyewitnesses' claims, the fire apparently started on the second floor of the ICU of the hospital.
Other victims who sustained injuries were rushed to a nearby hospital to receive medical assistance.
The tragic incident could have aggravated if not for the proactive and quick-thinking firemen who rushed to the scene
Johor's Fire and Rescue Department Director Othman Abdullah said that 160 personnel and 10 fire trucks were deployed to help in the operation.
It took them about 45 minutes to get the fire under control.
"Putting out the fire was manageable, but rescuing the critically ill victims was the toughest part of operations. Once the fire caught onto the mattresses, it spread rapidly and the smoke became very thick,” he was quoted as saying by Malay Mail Online.
The courageous firemen in their wisdom, ordered the patients and staff trapped at the scene to break the windows
“As soon as I reached the affected area, I could hear screams and see people running back and forth trying to escape the fire,” Johor Fire and Rescue Department assistant director Mohd Rizal Buang reportedly said.
"We ordered the staff and patients to break the windows to ventilate the building as it was so full of smoke. We could hardly see what was in front of us.”
Two staff members were rescued through the broken window and the Fire and Rescue Department provided assistance. The firefighters continued their rescue efforts by heading into the affected areas, barging through the fire to get the victims into safety.
"Most of you might think we are crazy because people are jumping out of windows and we are going in, but it is just what we do," he was quoted as saying by Malay Mail Online.
Netizens applauded the firefighters for their amazing effort in the unprecedented mishap.
They also commended the firemen for their honesty in returning the money they managed to retrieve from the incident.
The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) posted a series of photos yesterday on its social media accounts which depicts Dr Tan Cheng Cheng, Head of ICU, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care at Sultanah Aminah Hospital receiving a sum of money from a few man in their fireman uniform.
"This is what we call as honest, trustworthy and those who do not take advantage of other's hardship and predicaments. Well done, Abang Bomba! Well done, to all the parties involved!" one Salman Hamid commented.
"Trust me, in this messed up world, there are still good people around. Be one of them," one comment read.
"Thanks for the helping hand, Abang Wira!" another person commented.
Thank you, to all the 160 personnel who were involved in the fire and rescue operation yesterday!
