ALOR GAJAH: A child was among 17 passengers who escaped unhurt after an express bus they were travelling in burst into flames following an accident at KM195.9 of the North-South Expressway southbound here.
In the incident at about 3pm on Thursday (May 21), all passengers managed to flee the vehicle moments before flames engulfed the bus. The passengers were travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka.
Melaka Fire and Rescue Department public relations officer Deputy Fire Superintendent Mohd Hafidzatullah Rashid said the department received an emergency call at 3.04pm.
He said a team from the Alor Gajah Fire and Rescue Station, assisted by a water tanker unit from the Ayer Keroh station, were immediately dispatched to the scene.
"Firefighters immediately carried out extinguishing operations using two hose lines with water sourced from the fire engine tank,” he said.
Mohd Hafidzatullah said the blaze caused about 70% damage to the bus. He added that all 17 passengers, comprising 16 adults and one child, escaped unscathed.
"A total of 10 firefighters were involved in the operation and the cause of the incident is still under investigation,” he said.
