Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Hide in the Bathroom During a Fire, According to the Fire Department

When a fire breaks out, panic often sets in. While some people quickly escape the area, others may instinctively look for the nearest place to hide. For some, that place is the bathroom, a space many assume is safer because it has water and is usually enclosed. 

However, this common instinct could actually put people at greater risk during a fire emergency.

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Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department director Hassan ‘As’ari Omar said statistics have shown several cases in which fire victims were found dead in bathrooms around the capital, involving three people in 2024 and five people in 2025.

“In 2024, the first case was in front of Scott Garden, where two men died. Another was at Jalan Tepian Loke Yew, where a child died. All of them were found in bathrooms."

“For 2025, there was also a case at Perumahan Awam Sri Terengganu, where a woman died. Another case occurred at Block B, Jalan Hang Tuah Flat, involving a man. In addition, at Residensi Enesta, a man died, and the latest case occurred at Sentul Utama Flat, Jalan Dato Senu, involving a man and a woman,” he said, as reported by BERNAMA.

Bathrooms have limited ventilation

Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh has advised the public not to take shelter in bathrooms and toilets during a fire, as these spaces have limited ventilation and can quickly fill with smoke.

Hannah added that victims inside bathrooms are also more difficult for rescue personnel to detect, as firefighters usually check main areas such as bedrooms and living rooms first.

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Therefore, the public is urged to identify emergency exit routes and evacuate the area immediately if a fire occurs. However, in situations where people are unable to exit the building, Hannah advised them to stay in a room with windows facing outside the building and seal the gap under the door with a wet cloth or towel to prevent smoke from entering.

Additionally, Hannah said trapped residents can signal for help by waving a cloth or brightly coloured object from a window to help rescue teams locate them more easily.

Based on the report, Hannah also noted that the number of fire incidents in strata buildings in Kuala Lumpur has been on the rise, with 68 cases recorded in 2023, 75 cases in 2024, and 86 cases in 2025.

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