KUALA LUMPUR: The Fire and Rescue Department has confirmed that the blaze at Flat Sri Sabah in Cheras was due to an electrical wiring problem.
Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department director Muhammad Salleh Abdul said the wiring problem occurred at unit three of the 17th floor.
He said the case has been submitted to the department's forensic unit for further investigation.
"Preliminary investigation revealed that an electrical wiring problem was the cause of the fire.
"(And) at the moment, we have concluded about 90 to 95 per cent of the case and other issues yet to be identified are technical issues," he said when met by reporters at the site today.
It was also revealed that the unit's front and back doors were closed during the incident, leading to the spread of fire to the other five units on the same floor, he said.
He dismissed claims that the incident was caused by firecrackers.
"Hence, the information circulating where the blaze started due to firecrackers was untrue."
Muhammad also denied that the fire hydrant at the flats was not functioning.
He said the residents had also failed in using the flats' fire hose as there were no hand reels.
"When the fire was detected, they tried to use it (the hose) but couldn't, and it was later revealed that there was no reel available."
He said the department would establish a task force to conduct comprehensive inspections at all flats under the Kuala Lumpur City Hall, aimed at enhancing fire safety.
"We will establish it (the task force) again to investigate and improve the (fire safety) system at apartments and flats."
Present were Federal Territories Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa; Deputy Women, Community and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Kamarulzaman Mat Salleh and Bandar Tun Razak member of parliament Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
On Sunday night, a blaze struck five out of six houses at the Flat Sri Sabah's 17th floor.
The department personnel received a distress call around 9.19pm and managed to control the fire at 11.22pm.
No casualties or injuries were reported.