SIBU (Feb 17) – A parked sports utility vehicle (SUV) near a shophouse at Jalan Wawasan, Sibu, was completely destroyed in a fire in the early hours of today. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the incident.
According to the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Zone 4 chief, Andy Alie, the department received a distress call at 1.02am. A team of firefighters from the Sungai Merah fire station was immediately dispatched to the scene to control the situation.
Upon arrival, firefighters discovered that a white SUV was already engulfed in flames. The fire had spread rapidly, leaving the vehicle unrecognizable.
“The vehicle’s registration number could not be identified as the owner was not present at the scene. The SUV was 100 per cent destroyed, but thankfully, no one was harmed,” Andy said in a statement.
Firefighters acted swiftly, using an initial hose line and a water jet from the fire engine’s tank to put out the blaze. Within minutes, they managed to bring the fire under control, ensuring that it did not spread to nearby structures or vehicles.
Andy further explained that after the fire was fully extinguished, the team conducted thorough checks to rule out any possibilities of reignition. Once the situation was deemed safe, the firefighters wrapped up their operation and returned to the station at 1.42am.
As of now, the cause of the fire remains unknown. Authorities are still investigating the incident, including assessing the total loss value.
Residents in the area are urged to report any suspicious activities that may have led to the fire. Authorities are also reminding vehicle owners to ensure their vehicles are parked in safe locations and to take necessary precautions to prevent such incidents.
