JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- A fire at the basement car park of a shopping mall here this afternoon is believed to have involved a four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicle, amid speculation on social media that the incident was linked to an electric vehicle (EV).
Larkin Fire and Rescue Station chief Mohd Suhaimi Abdul Jamal said the department received an emergency call at 3.40 pm, with fire engines arriving at the scene six minutes later.
He said 52 personnel from the Larkin, Tebrau and Kempas Fire and Rescue stations, Ulu Tiram Volunteer Fire Brigade and the mall’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) were involved in the operation.
“Of the 11 vehicles affected, eight sustained 80 to 90 per cent damage, two were damaged by 30 to 40 per cent, while another sustained about 10 per cent damage,” he told a press conference at the scene here today.
Mohd Suhaimi said four people, including a Singaporean, suffered breathing difficulties in the incident. However, only one was taken to Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) for further treatment and was reported to be in stable condition.
He said the building’s smoke extraction and fire safety systems helped firefighters carry out their duties and investigate the incident amid thick smoke.
The mall resumed normal operations at about 7 pm after being temporarily closed following the fire.
The basement car park, however, remains closed to allow the Fire and Rescue Department’s Forensics Unit to investigate the cause of the fire and assess the estimated losses.
Earlier, several videos and photographs circulated on social media showing thick smoke billowing from the building as shoppers and workers rushed to safety.
--BERNAMA