FIRE CUTS OFF PHONE CABLES IN MUAR

MUAR: More than 5,000 homes and factories in several areas here have had no telecommunication services since Tuesday, after supply cables at the northern side of the town bridge were burnt in a fire.

The fire, believed caused by burning dried undergrowth near the bridge, destroyed several metres of copper and fibre optic cables around 7pm.

A Telekom Malaysia spokesman said that besides telephone services, the fire also disrupted Internet connections.

He said the affected areas were Tanjung Agas, Tanjung Gading, Kesang, Parit Bunga, Bukit Kangkar, Sungai Mati, Bukit Gambir and several areas in Tangkak.

“We rushed a maintenance contract team to repair the damage early yesterday,” he said.

Some of the lines, including to several factories in the Tanjung Agas Industrial Park, have been restored, he said, adding that full restoration was expected in three days.

Meanwhile, Muar Fire and Rescue Department chief Shukor Abdullah said the department rushed two fire engines with 14 firemen to the scene at 7.24pm. The fire was put out in 30 minutes.

SOURCE: THE STAR, AUGUST 27, 2009