Brave worker puts out fire on burning car at petrol kiosk

GEORGE TOWN: Quick thinking by a foreign worker averted a major tragedy when he saw a car suddenly caught fire as it was being refuelled at a petrol kiosk in Jalan Masjid Negeri here.

The worker, who works as a cashier, immediately used a fire extinguisher to put out the flames during the 7.40pm on Sunday.

He and another worker immediately rushed over after hearing shouts of “Terbakar! Terbakar!” (caught fire). The fire was put out within minutes.

A 1.29s video clip showing a man refilling the car before it suddenly burst into flames had since gone viral on social media.

Another motorist who had parked his car nearby during the incident drove away immediately upon seeing the fire.

In the clip, two children who were inside the car dashed out to safety when the car caught fire. One of them dropped a handphone as she ran.

She later denied allegations that she was using her handphone while the car was being refuelled.

It is, however, believed that the car owner had left his car engine running and lights on when refuelling his vehicle.

George Town OCPD Asst Comm Mior Faridalathrash Wahid said they had received a police report each from the car owner and petrol station operator, adding that nobody was hurt in the incident.

“The car owner lodged a report because he wanted to refer the incident to the car manufacturing company.

“He wanted to check whether there was any mechanical defect to his car,” he said when contacted.

The kiosk operator, refused to comment, except that they had reported the incident to the headquarters.