LABUAN: Three people were injured while dozens escaped a fiery death when a boat caught fire in waters off Tg Batu, late Thursday (Dec 4) afternoon.
Labuan OCPD Supt Mohd Hamizi Halim said in the 3pm blaze, a crewman had noticed smoke coming from the engine area and alerted the boatman.
“The skipper rushed the vessel to a nearby seashore and all 36 passengers and three crewmen managed to disembark as the blaze grew stronger,” he said.
A crew member and two toddlers sustained burns on their bodies during the escape and have been sent to the hospital for treatment.
It is learnt that the boat had departed Menumbon at 2.45pm and was headed to Labuan when the fire broke out midway, said Supt Mohd Hamizi.
Firemen who were rushed to the scene managed to bring the flames under control at 4.15pm.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
