Close call for 28 after express bus catches fire

The bus was on its way from Kuching to Miri when the incident occurred around 2.25pm.

KUCHING: It was a close call for 26 passengers and two drivers when the express bus they were in caught fire at KM30 of Jalan Serian-Sri Aman near Balai Ringin on Monday.

The bus was on its way from Kuching to Miri when the incident occurred around 2.25pm.

According to a spokesman from the Fire and Rescue Department, one of the bus drivers suffered burns to his hands and ears, and was brought to the Balai Ringin clinic for treatment.

The spokesman said the department dispatched a fire engine with eight personnel from the Serian fire station after receiving a distress call at 2.57pm.

"When they arrived at the scene at about 3.30pm, the flames had already been put out by voluntary firemen from Balai Ringin. All the passengers had exited the vehicle," the spokesman said.