IPOH, Sept 8 — About 2.42 hectares of forest area at the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) in Bidor caught fire in an incident yesterday evening.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) assistant operations director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said his department received a call about the fire at 5.42 pm before a team of personnel from the Bidor Fire and Rescue Station was rushed to the location.

He said the operation was carried out using a 700-foot jet stream with two jets and a transport pump which sourced water from a nearby pond.

“The operation continued last night with a change of personnel at the location.

“The fire was put under control and only 15 per cent of the burning area remains,” he said in a statement.

He said the operation was suspended at 12 last night due to safety factors and the condition of the fire that would not spread.

The operation resumed this morning. — Bernama