Uncle Kentang Shares Life-Saving Tips To Prepare Malaysians For Fire Emergencies
He was struck by the troubling realisation that many Malaysians are dangerously unprepared for fire emergencies.
By Sadho Ram — 03 Apr 2025, 12:41 PM
As fire from an industrial incident engulfed homes, melted cars, and scorched trees in Subang Jaya, a group of volunteers led by social activist Kuan Chee Heng, known as Uncle Kentang, found themselves at the heart of the disaster, risking their lives to save others
While working to evacuate residents, he was struck by the troubling realisation that many Malaysians are dangerously unprepared for fire emergencies.
In a Facebook post, Kuan shared his experience of leading his ambulance team into "ground zero" — a fire-ravaged Putra Heights, where houses were burning around them due to a Petronas gas pipeline leak that resulted in an explosion and fire on the second day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.
Despite his fears as an older man, a simple thumbs-up from a firefighter, who happened to be his former mentor, gave Uncle Kentang the courage to push forward.
"It worked like magic. I felt braver because my mentor was there. No words were needed," he wrote.
"We could feel the scorching heat. Gas tanks inside the houses worried us. Everywhere we looked, we saw melted-down cars and even playground equipment reduced to twisted metal," Kuan added.
The volunteer team was tasked with evacuating 35 residents, including six children and numerous pets
Many had fled their homes barefoot, disoriented, and in shock. One elderly woman suffered severe burns on her hands, legs, and feet, requiring urgent medical attention.
"Her soles were bloodied and burnt wounds. Her hands and both legs are full of burns," he said.
Another resident panicked because she could not find her house keys, trapping herself inside until firefighters rescued her.
"Many people take fire safety for granted. In a fire, thick smoke can make it impossible to see. You must know where to grab your key even if you are blinded," Kuan warned.
Reflecting on the chaos of the evacuation, Kuan urged Malaysians to take simple but life-saving precautions:
- Keep house keys in a designated place to prevent getting trapped in an emergency.
- Store important documents in a grab-and-go bag instead of loose folders, making it easier to escape with them.
- Buy a fire blanket and a burn kit — these small investments could make a critical difference during a fire.
"You never know when you might need these things, but once you do, they can mean the difference between safety and disaster," he stressed.
Despite the challenges, emergency responders worked tirelessly to save lives
He praised the swift action of the Fire and Rescue Department officers, including a high-ranking yet petite firefighter who moved with agility to direct efforts. Another young officer ensured his team had donned fire-resistant suits and breathing apparatuses, preparing for the worst.
He also commended DSP Tan, a police officer who quickly mobilised resources to aid the evacuation.
"I left to transport an 80-year-old woman struggling to breathe, along with her son, daughter-in-law, and their dog to Hospital Cyberjaya. Before leaving, I reminded my team: Safety first," he recounted.
