Swift action by firefighters successfully prevented an express bus from being completely destroyed in a fire along the Kuantan–Pekan road near Istana Mahkota in Pekan on Thursday.
According to Pahang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) operations assistant director Mohd Salahuddin Isa, the empty express bus was believed to have just left a workshop and was en route to Kuantan when the incident occurred.
He said the driver noticed flames coming from the engine compartment upon reaching the location.
The Fire and Rescue Department received an emergency call at 2.20pm, prompting a team from the Peramu Fire and Rescue Station to rush to the scene, which was about five kilometres away.
“Upon arrival, firefighters used a water supply hose connected to the fire engine tank to bring the blaze under control,” he said.
He added that the fire was successfully extinguished within about 10 minutes with assistance from the Pekan fire station.
A thorough inspection was carried out to ensure no remaining fire sources that could trigger a recurrence before operations were concluded.
The cause of the fire and total losses are still under investigation by the fire department’s forensic unit.
