JOHOR BARU: Ten cars were damaged after a fire broke out at the Level 2 basement car park of a shopping mall along Jalan Wong Ah Fook on Tuesday afternoon (Oct 6).
Larkin Fire and Rescue Station chief Mohd Suhaimi Abdul Jamal said the blaze originated from a sport utility vehicle (SUV) before spreading to nearby vehicles. Eight cars were completely destroyed, while two others sustained between 20 and 30% damage.
Emergency responders received the call at 3.40pm and deployed a team of 40 firefighters from the Larkin, Tebrau, and Kempas stations, alongside the Mount Austin Volunteer Fire Department.
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Firefighters used two 300-foot hose lines connected to the building's fire protection system and the fire engine pump to contain the blaze.
Three women, aged 35, 48, and 57, including a Singaporean national, suffered breathing difficulties due to smoke inhalation. Firefighters rendered initial first aid at the scene, and the 48-year-old victim was subsequently sent to a nearby hospital for further treatment. Another male victim escaped unharmed.
Rescue personnel conducted a thorough search of the parking area to ensure no other individuals were trapped. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
