Jimmy TanNestled off the coast of Port Klang in Selangor, Pulau Ketam is a haven of tranquil beauty, a place where traditional wooden homes stand in harmony with the surrounding sea, and a close-knit community thrives on a simple, yet fulfilling way of life. However, beneath this serenity, the island bears scars from a history marred by the unforgiving fury of fires. These devastating blazes, some of which have wiped out entire villages, have repeatedly tested the resilience and unity of Pulau Ketam’s inhabitants over the decades.
One such heart-wrenching incident took place on the fateful day of September 29th. The site at Bagan Teo Chew bore witness to a fire that left in its wake the charred remains of three houses and four trawlers. Tragically, a 49-year-old woman lost her life in the inferno. Selangor Fire and Rescue Department’s operations assistant director, Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar, recounted the somber discovery of the victim’s lifeless body, stranded near a pillar of one of the damaged houses. The fire had raged on as brave firefighters battled the flames, ultimately leaving the houses almost 90 percent destroyed. In addition to the homes, three fishing boats docked near one of the damaged houses were also reduced to ashes.
However, such scenes of devastation are regrettably not unfamiliar to the residents of Pulau Ketam. The island’s history is marked by not one but several devastating fires, including one in 1967 and another in 1972. These blazes, often fueled by the wooden structures that define the island’s architecture, have continuously challenged its residents to rise from the ashes, both literally and metaphorically.
Dr. Bugs Tan’s harrowing memories
One individual who bears witness to this tumultuous history is Dr Bugs Tan Yeow Kiang, a man whose memories of Pulau Ketam’s trials and tribulations are etched into his soul. Many families found themselves homeless, struggling to rebuild their lives from the ground up in the aftermath of the 1967 fire that razed the entire village of Pulau Ketam.
“Our parents were not with us. We did our escape,” he recalls, painting a vivid picture of the chaos that gripped the island on that fateful day. With their parents absent, Dr Bugs’s elder brother, Ah Chong, just 16 years old at the time, shouldered the immense responsibility of ensuring his younger siblings’ safety. He bravely remained behind to guard their shop, urging his brothers and sisters to escape the impending disaster.
He vividly remembers the desperate scene as his brother, Ah Poo, and cousin, Ah Mee, hastily emptied their school bags of books and replaced them with cash money and checks, salvaging what they could from the family’s hardware shop. “We ran to the corner of the residential village and gathered at a Chinese temple,” Dr Bugs recalls, “The crowd was huge, and people were panicking.”
As the fire’s roar grew louder, the villagers, including Dr Bugs’s family, made a fateful decision to trek through the mangrove swamp, hoping to escape the inferno. “We walked and walked,” he remembers, “It was very hard to walk in these conditions.” His sister, Ah Moi, who was just 9 years old at the time.
A community rises from the ashes
Their journey was marked by adversity. They waded through streams, battled fierce ants, and experienced thirst and exhaustion. Dr Bugs vividly recalls, “We were thirsty and lost. My sister was still in her pajamas. We walked and walked in the mud, across small and big rivers.”
The memory of those moments in the swamp, surrounded by the darkness and uncertainty, remains etched in Dr Bugs’s mind. “We must have walked forever,” he says. “And suddenly we were at the edge of the island. We could see the open sea now.”
Their salvation came in the form of a fishing boat that spotted them near the shore. A brave soul from the boat jumped into the water to rescue the children. “We piggybacked onto his back, one by one, to get onto the boat,” Dr Bugs recalls. It was a lifeline that brought them to the safety of the 1st River of Pulau Ketam, an area spared from the ravages of the fire.
Relatives provided them with much-needed sustenance, water, new clothes, and emotional support. “That’s it. We were saved. We had our mother back. Life was good again,” Dr Bugs says, his voice filled with gratitude.
In 1972, another fire ravaged the town, leaving only the main street untouched. This time, Dr Bugs’s family had mostly moved to Klang, leaving only Ah Chong and his father behind.
Dr Bugs’s account underscores the island’s vulnerability to fires, given its traditional wooden homes and close-knit quarters. However, Pulau Ketam’s resilient spirit never wavers, and this spirit is what has allowed the community to endure these recurrent trials. As Dr Bugs reminisces, it becomes apparent that the fires of Pulau Ketam have forged a community that has time and again risen from the ashes.
Educating and rebuilding
In the aftermath of the recent tragedy, a group from Bomba Komuniti Bandar Utama, along with representatives from Bomba Selangor, made a journey to Pulau Ketam to educate the community about fire safety measures and aid in the island’s rebuilding efforts. On Wednesday, 4th October 2023, Bomba Sukarela Pulau Ketam warmly welcomed the visitors at their Balai Bomba, setting the stage for a day of meaningful discussions and shared experiences.
One of the primary objectives of this study tour was to address the recent fire incident that had sent shockwaves through Pulau Ketam. The delegation visited the site at Bagan Teo Chew, where just a few weeks ago, a devastating fire had consumed three houses and four trawlers. These initiatives serve as a lifeline for residents, providing them with essential fire safety education and practical advice on disaster preparedness.
Furthermore, the study tour offered a glimpse into the challenges faced by victims of the recent fire. The recent study tour organized by Bomba Komuniti Bandar Utama underscored the importance of such initiatives, shedding light on the challenges faced by victims and the assistance they so desperately need.
Building a safer future for Pulau Ketam
As the island continues to rebuild, support from both government agencies and community organizations like Bomba Komuniti Bandar Utama is crucial. One of the immediate needs highlighted during the study tour is the requirement for firefighting equipment. Bomba Komuniti Bandar Utama has embarked on a mission to provide Pulau Ketam with essential firefighting tools, including fireman hoses and fire extinguishers. Those who wish to contribute to this noble cause can contact Bomba Komuniti Bandar Utama at . 0162636842
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