Doctor, nurse suffer burns after man throws petrol bomb at clinic (Updated)

GEORGE TOWN: A doctor and a staff nurse suffered burns after a man said to be mentally unstable threw a petrol bomb inside the clinic of a private hospital here.

Dr Leong Wing Seng, in his 50s, suffered 30% burns all over the body while K. Preama, in her 30s, sustained 5% burns on her face and chest during the 4.30pm incident on 
Monday (Sept 3).

They were reportedly in stable condition.

The suspect, in his 30s, also suffered burns on both hands. He was overpowered and handed over to the police for investigation.

Two staff nurse and a Taiwanese woman, said to be a patient, also suffered light injuries.

It is learnt that the suspect had earlier dashed into the clinic before throwing petrol bomb in the room where all victims were.

An eyewitness, who declined to be named, said she was waiting outside the clinic before the incident took place.

She said she saw a staff nurse wailing and covering her face with her uniform.

"I believe she was scalded in her face.

"I saw smoke billowing from the clinic, before hearing shouts inside. It was chaos.

"I also ran for my safety," said the woman, adding the she saw a man was later overpowered and tied to a bed.

Perak Road Fire Station chief Ismail Mohd Zain said a distress call was received at 4.55pm.

He said the first fire engine reached the scene at 5.04pm.

"The sprinkler has already put out the fire when we reached the scene."

George Town OCPD Asst Comm Che Zaimani Che Awang said the motive of the attack is being investigated and whether the man was of sound mind when he committed the act.