5 Bangladeshis escape fiery death
New Straits Times Online, 16 January 2014
30th FLOOR ORDEAL: Workers sent to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation
KUALA LUMPUR: FIVE Bangladeshi construction workers were stuck for almost two hours on the 30th level of Menara Tun Razak in Jalan Raja Laut here when a fire broke out there yesterday before being rescued.
Federal Territory Fire and Rescue Department assistant director Azizan Ismail said the fire was believed have started on the 27th floor at 4.45pm when workers were cutting the air-conditioning ducts.
"They were cutting the ducts using an oxy-acetylene torch, which ignited the duct insulation."
Azizan said a distress call was received at 4.46pm and the first team arrived at the scene within a minute.
"Twelve fire engines with 70 firefighters from nearby stations were dispatched.
"Firemen took about 11/2 hours to save the victims because the lifts were not working as the building is undergoing renovation."
Azizan said the victims were conscious but very weak when firemen found them on the 30th floor.
"The firemen brought the victims down using a turntable ladder at 6.45pm. They were taken to Kuala Lumpur Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation," he said, adding that it took about two hours to douse the flames.
He said workers had earlier failed to put out the blaze using fire extinguishers and broke the windows to let in fresh air.
The incident is under investigation and actual losses are being assessed.
