BEKENU – A Toyota Hilux four-wheel drive (4WD) caught fire in the engine compartment in an early morning incident at Kampung Kayu Kapur here today, but the blaze was successfully controlled by the vehicle owner and neighbours before firefighters arrived.
Batu Niah Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) Chief, Senior Fire Officer (PBT II) Rary Binjie, said his department received an emergency call about the fire at 7.50am.
Following the call, a team led by PBK I Raymond Sigan and four members was dispatched to the location, which was about 28 kilometres away. Their fire engine reached the scene at 8.27am.
“Initial investigations found that the fire had started around 3.00am and was first noticed by the caller’s mother after she heard the car alarm going off. The vehicle owner, with the help of three neighbours, managed to put out the flames using tap water before our team reached the location,” he explained in a statement.
Rary added that the fire had damaged about 40 percent of the Hilux’s engine. Once at the site, firefighters carried out a full inspection of the engine bay and vehicle interior to ensure there were no other sources of danger that could reignite the fire.
“No firefighting operation was required since the fire had already been extinguished by the public before our arrival,” he said, adding that no injuries were reported.
The control operation ended at 8.55am and was officially completed at 9.35am. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
This incident once again highlights the importance of community awareness and quick action during emergencies, which in this case, prevented more serious damage or possible injuries.