New Straits Times 15 Feb 12;
KUALA LUMPUR: Five hectares of the Bukit Sungai Puteh forest reserve were razed in a fire which broke out yesterday morning.
Cheras Fire and Rescue Department chief Johari Mohd Lazim said the fire was put out more than five hours later.
"We took three and a half hours just to contain the fire in the Taman Supreme side earlier. Towards evening, there was a drizzle, so it made our job easier."
After setting up a temporary control centre nearby, firemen had to stretch their hoses through several living rooms and kitchens as the affected area was located behind a row of terrace houses at Taman Supreme and the Ketumbar Heights apartment here.
Johari said the fire spread quickly and they had to seek assistance from four other fire stations namely, Ampang, Sungai Besi, Hang Tuah and Pandan Indah.
"Volunteer teams from Bukit Bintang and Bangsar also helped in fighting the blaze. No casualties were reported and no homes damaged."
Selangor District Forestry officer Awang Shafie was also at the scene, taking photographs and assessing the damage caused to the environment.
"Mostly destroyed were shrubs and bushes, but we have yet to determine the exact effect of the fire."
Although the cause is still to be determined, a resident who refused to be identified, said it resulted from open burning by other residents who were burning dried leaves outside their compound.
