KUCHING, March 19 — The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department conducted 20 water bombings today to control peat fire near Miri Industrial Training Institute in Kuala Baram district.

Director Nor Hisham Mohammad said 85 people including 10 firemen from the Air Unit are working hard to stop the fire from spreading to nearby areas.

However, the helicopter had to return to base at noon when the control mechanism to release the water bucket failed to operate.

“The device will be checked by a technician and if it only involved a minor problem, the helicopter will return to fight the fire.

“We are trying to control the fire from by controlling areas expected to be sitting in its path,” he said when contacted by Bernama, here today.

Nor Hisham said it would take four or five days to put out the fire in the 24 hectares area but it also depends on weather conditions. — Bernama