SRI AMAN – Firefighters from the local Fire and Rescue Department were deployed on Monday night to neutralise a hazardous wasp nest that was threatening the safety of residents at a longhouse community in the district.
The nocturnal operation highlights the ongoing efforts of emergency responders to mitigate wildlife and insect hazards in rural residential areas.
The emergency was brought to light at 20:40 when a local resident, Anthony Jiram, contacted the Sri Aman fire station directly. He reported a large, active wasp nest close to Rumah Baba Skirau in Tanjung Bijat.
Situated approximately 31 kilometres away from the nearest station, the remote location required an immediate response to prevent any accidental stings to the community after dark.
A specialised team was quickly assembled and dispatched to the coordinates using a Nissan Urvan utility vehicle. The operation was overseen by Operation Commander Albert Shee Ji Long.
Upon reaching the longhouse settlement, the crew conducted a thorough assessment of the site and located the nest positioned on a tree branch near the residential area.
Due to the aggressive nature of wasps and the high potency of their venom, firefighters donned full personal protective equipment (PPE) before approaching the tree.
Managing venomous insects requires specialised techniques, and the crew opted to use a controlled flame torch to incinerate the colony.
This method is highly effective for rapidly neutralising swarms before the insects can disperse and attack nearby people.
The team systematically destroyed the nest, ensuring that the entire colony was eradicated. Dealing with such pests at night is often preferred as the insects are less active and remain inside the nest, making the removal process more thorough and safer for the surrounding neighbourhood.
No unexpected difficulties or complications were encountered during the operation. After completing the task, the personnel performed a final sweep of the area to ensure that no secondary hazards remained for the longhouse residents.
With the threat successfully eliminated and the site declared entirely safe, the team packed their specialised gear and returned to their base.
