JOHOR BAHRU: The quick action of a Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) meter reader in rescuing two young lives during a terrace house fire in Skudai did not go unnoticed as he was recognised and appreciated by the Johor Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), here today.
Mohd Ridzuan Azman, 26, received a commendation certificate for taking preliminary action in preventing fires while on duty, presented by state JBPM director, Datuk Yahaya Madis during the annual parade held at its headquarters here.
The TNB employee said he was carrying out meter inspections at Jalan Kasturi 23 near Skudai at about 12.30pm when he noticed smoke billowing from a house nearby.
“I went to the house and saw a grandmother with four grandchildren who panicked when I told them there was smoke coming from the top floor of their double-storey house.
“I instructed them to get out of the house quickly and called the nearest fire station, I was then told that there were two more grandchildren sleeping on the top floor of the house,” he said.
Mohd Ridzuan said he immediately went upstairs, woke up the grandchildren who were asleep and instructed them to leave the house immediately.
“I also tried to put out the fire by using pails of water,” he added.
About 10 minutes later, firefighters from the Skudai Fire and Rescue Station arrived at the scene.
“I was suddenly courageous upon knowing that there were two more victims upstairs … we need to be humane no matter what the situation, we must help and not be afraid to act,” he said. –BERNAMA