PEKAN: Police have detained four men suspected of causing a large-scale fire at the Pekan Forest Reserve here on Monday.
District police chief Superintendent Mohd Zaidi Mat Zin said the men, aged between 27 and 60, were pineapple farmers in the area.
He said they were detained to assist in investigations into the fire at a peat swamp forest adjacent to their residential area. However, they were released on police bail.
The case is being investigated under Section 285 of the Penal Code for negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter.
Meanwhile, Pahang Forestry Department deputy director (Development) Harry Yong said the fire at the Pekan Forest Reserve last week had destroyed more than 80 hectares of peat swamp forest.
He said the department had constructed two drains spanning about 1,500 metres to prevent the fire from spreading further into the forest reserve.
"Yesterday's heavy rain is understood to have helped extinguish the fire. However, staff from the Pahang Forestry Department and the Fire and Rescue Department are continuing to monitor the area daily," he said.
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