ALOR STAR: The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department is conducting investigations into a fashion boutique owner for alleged non-compliance with safety protocols during a fire at his boutique in Bangi, Selangor on Saturday.
Its director-general, Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad, said that according to a viral video on TikTok, the owner ignored firefighters' instructions to remain outside and instead entered the building during firefighting operations.
He said that the department would review the Fire and Rescue Services Act 1988 to determine appropriate action against the owner.
"Based on the video evidence, our officers tried to prevent the owner from entering the premises, but it was seen that he disobeyed their orders," he said during a press conference at the Kedah Fire and Rescue Department headquarters here today.
Hisham said that such reckless actions could pose dangers to both civilians and emergency responders.
"Our primary principle when responding to fires is to save three 'lives'. First, if there are occupants inside the premises, we try to rescue them. Second, the lives of civilians. If they are not inside, they should not enter to avoid casualties.
"The third is the lives of responders themselves. So, in this context, the second priority was violated," he added.
A fashion boutique in Section 9, Bandar Baru Bangi in Selangor was engulfed by fire on Saturday.
The incident went viral after the boutique owner uploaded a 46-second clip showing the blaze on TikTok.
In that incident, two boutique employees suffered from smoke inhalation and received onsite treatment before being rushed to the hospital for further care.
The fire was successfully put out shortly after, and no fatalities were reported in the incident. Meanwhile, Hisham advised the public not to underestimate the severity of any fire and to avoid taking similar risks.
"People may not realise the danger, but when oxygen levels inside a building drop below 16 per cent, there's a high risk of collapsing, fainting, and suffocation at any moment," he added.