Driver jumps out of his burning vehicle after an explosion

The driver of a 4WD vehicle jumped out of a burning vehicle after a gas cylinder exploded in Jalan Petanak, here at noon today.

After abandoning the burning vehicle, the driver fled the scene and could not be traced. The vehicle was carrying two gas cylinders for welding work.

Kuching fire chief Tiong Ling Hii said seven officers in seven fire engines rushed to the scene soon after receiving a distress call at 11.12am.

They were accompanied by by three Motorcycle Rapid Response (RIM) teams and a Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) team with with seven members.

"The vehicle caught fire after one of the two gas acetylene cylinders exploded. Another gas cylinder sprang a leak," he told Bernama here today.

The fire was put out at 11.22am. The Hazmat team emptied the gas cylinder gas near a river.

"As a result of the explosion, a bystander suffered minor injuries when hit by glass fragments from the 4WD vehicle," said Tiong.