Two factory workers suffered burns after a lorry and a forklift caught fire at a drainage equipment processing factory along Jalan Kampung Kokos Batu 5 Segama here on Wednesday.
The incident, which occurred at about 3.30pm, left a 20-year-old worker who was at the factory workshop with burns covering 50 per cent of his body, while a 40-year-old lorry driver sustained minor injuries.
Lahad Datu Fire and Rescue Station chief Sumsoa Rashid said the department received an emergency call at about 3.49pm and dispatched six firefighters to the scene, located about 24 kilometres from the station.
“The operation commander reported that a 30-tonne lorry was about 70 per cent engulfed in flames, while a forklift inside the factory was completely destroyed by fire.
“Based on information from workers at the scene, both victims were injured when the lorry’s diesel tank exploded. The diesel then spilled onto the forklift, causing the machinery to catch fire,” he said.
A non-permanent structure at the factory was also affected by the blaze.
Firefighters used water from the fire engine to contain and extinguish the flames.
Both injured workers were taken to hospital by members of the public for treatment.
Sumsoa said the operation was concluded at about 4.50pm after firefighters confirmed that the area was no longer posing any further danger.
