I Watched My Fears Burn: What a Fire Revealed About Our Broken System

A fire broke the calm of my Sunday morning. From my home, I saw thick plumes of smoke rising into the sky—so close that I launched my drone to investigate. As expected, the flames had engulfed a row of illegally built structures.

For over two decades, I had silently anticipated such an event. These structures blatantly disregarded fundamental building and fire safety regulations—no proper setbacks between buildings, no separating party walls, and substandard construction materials. Since day one, their layout made me uneasy. I had never stepped foot inside any of the shops—reconditioned car dealers, sanitary ware outlets, furniture showrooms, and most recently, three pickleball courts—all located within walking distance from my home.

Fortunately, the fire lasted under two hours. Thanks to the swift response of the Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia (JBPM) and functioning fire hydrants—which, importantly, had not been illegally tampered with—the blaze was brought under control. From drone footage, only three to four structures were visibly damaged. Initially, I feared the entire row would be reduced to ashes. It was another stroke of luck that the fire broke out in the morning and not in the dead of night, when detection and response would have been delayed.

Throughout my architectural career, I’ve encountered countless property owners who believe “fire won’t happen to me.” That may hold true for years, but as buildings age—spanning 50, 70, even 100 years—fire risk is not a matter of if, but when. Murphy’s Law always finds a way.

This is exactly why architects are essential to the built environment. We’re not here just to design aesthetically pleasing buildings—we are trained to ensure they are safe. We plan with fire in mind: facilitating escape routes, incorporating compartmentalization, and ensuring fire is contained—not allowed to spread like wildfire. Fire safety is a core part of our professional exams and daily responsibility.

When authorities enforce stricter penalties on illegal structures, I stand in full support. It’s only through proper planning, professional oversight, and rule enforcement that we can create a safer, more resilient built environment for everyone.