JOHOR BARU: An empty building located along Jalan Wong Ah Fook in the city centre here has been damaged by irresponsible parties burning garbage in the area.

       Larkin fire station operations commander Mohd Shahrizal Abd Rahman said they received a distress call about the incident at 12.29pm on Sunday (April 21).

       He added that 19 firemen from the Larkin and Tebrau stations were deployed in two fire rescue tenders and one emergency medical rescue service vehicle as well as three rapid intervention motorcycle units.

       “The fire involved a vacant building where initial investigation found that the incident happened because of uncontrolled garbage burning.

       "(The rubbish was burned) just outside the building but the fire spread to the building’s side and reached up to the third floor," he said.

       He added that firemen were able to bring the fire under control by 1.15pm and ended the operation some five minutes later.

       Mohd Shahrizal said about 30% of the building was damaged, but no injuries were reported.

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