Unsung heroes of UBD

10 August 2009 (Tuesday) – A forest fire occurred near Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) guard post and near a water tank at UBD during the lunch hour at 12 noon. Two fire appliances from Jerudong and Lambak Kanan rushed to the scene to fight the fire. Also helping was the SPSS security guard and also traffic police who direct the traffic.

Forest Fire near UBD guard post

The situation worsened in the afternoon when another fire sparked at a hill behind the UBD Chancellor Hall and also the UBD Sport Complex as well. More fire support arrived at UBD in the afternoon to fight the fire. At the UBD Chancellor Hall, the fire was worsened with the strong wind. The firefighters are supported by the SPSS Security guards at the Chancellor Hall and a UBD student.

According to Tuan Ranee from the BFRD C Operational Command and in-charge of the operation, the fire are spreading rapidly which is fueled by the dry vegetation and strong winds. He added that every firefighters are on standby at the fire points to extinguish and control the fire before it reaches properties around it. During the operation firefighters from Jerudong, Berakas, Lambak Kanan and Women Operational Unit are involved.

The firefighters are lucky as all fire hydrants around UBD operational with high water pressure, thus making their operations worked well. Also supporting were the Women Operational Unit also on the fire site to provide drinks and food ration for the firefighters on duty. Public Works Department (PWD) water tankers are also on scene providing water supply support.

PWD Water Tanker assisting a fire engine

Meanwhile UBD Sports Complex, the forest fire ravaged the forested area around the hockey field and also the UBD football field B. Due to the vast area of fire, the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) sent their helicopters to provide water drop and support the firefighters. According to a firefighter in-charge of the area he said “Luckily the forest area behind the Female Residential College already burned few months back, thus it become a natural fire-break”.

The firefighters worked around the clock to extinguish all fires at UBD and its surroundings. Until night time, firefighters and their appliance still can be seen extinguishing fires and on standby at the site. The firefighters also seen damping some of the forested areas at UBD and its surroundings to ensure the fire will not affect it in the future.