A school van was engulfed in flames near the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) building at Jalan Perda Utama in Penang on Tuesday afternoon.
The Toyota Hiace was reportedly heading towards Desa Rambai after completing its student drop-off routine when the blaze broke out at approximately 3.48 pm.
John Sagun Francis, Assistant Director of the Operations Division for the Penang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), confirmed that a team from the Bandar Perda Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) was dispatched immediately upon receiving an emergency call. The fire engine arrived at the scene within three minutes, covering a distance of roughly three kilometres from the station.
The fire, which involved about 80% destruction of the vehicle, was managed by a team of seven personnel led by a commanding officer. Upon arrival, the firefighters performed a “size up” while equipped with full personal protective gear, applying the RECEO (Rescue, Exposure, Confinement, Extinguishment, Overhaul) concept before launching a “direct attack” to extinguish the flames.
The situation was brought under control by 3.59 pm, with the fire being completely put out just minutes later at 4.02 pm. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the incident. The 62-year-old male owner of the van escaped the ordeal without any injuries. The case has since been handed over to the Fire Investigation Officer (FIO) to determine the exact cause of the ignition.
