4WD believed to be involved in JB mall fire

A fire in the basement car park of a shopping mall here yesterday afternoon is believed to have involved a four-wheel-drive vehicle, amid speculation on social media that the incident was linked to an electric vehicle.

Larkin fire and rescue station chief Suhaimi Abdul Jamal said the department received an emergency call at 3.40pm, and fire engines arrived 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 were involved in the operation.

“Of the 11 vehicles affected, eight sustained 80% to 90% damage, two were damaged by 30% to 40%, and another sustained about 10% damage,” he told a press conference at the scene yesterday.

Suhaimi said four people, including a Singaporean, suffered breathing difficulties in the incident. However, only one was taken to Sultanah Aminah Hospital for further treatment and is reported to be in stable condition.

Suhaimi said the building’s smoke extraction and fire safety systems helped firefighters carry out their duties and investigate the incident amid the thick smoke.

The mall was temporarily closed after the fire and resumed normal operations at about 7pm.

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 losses.