The February 7 fire in Shah Alam Market erupted in a similar fashion and lasted for nine days. It appears that the traders, rescue agencies and government officials have failed to learn from the past as no measures were taken to control such incidents in the market. Sources said that February 7 incident, a commission was formed to investigate the causes of the fire.
It is learnt that Rescue 1122 on this occasion prepared a detailed report which included proposals to stop such incidents in Shah Alam Market. Sources said that rescue officials requested the commission stop the construction of high-rise and illegal plazas in the area. They also suggested removing illegally constructed plazas from the area.
The report called upon the commission to ask traders to develop better fire fighting infrastructure in the plazas and install fire fighting equipment. However, the report of the commission, which included an officer of Rescue 1122, a representative from the commissioner, DCO, CM Secretariat and traders, was put under the wraps. Sources said that political influence and traders’ influence stopped the government from taking serious decisions in this regard.
