Four in family suffer burns in petrol fire at motorcycle workshop

Johor Bahru Fire and Rescue operations chief Senior Assistant Superintendent Saiful Bahri Safar said the incident at about 7 pm occurred when the family was cleaning the workshop before closing it.

"The boy, Teoh Hwa Teik, 12, suffered 20 per cent burns on his body and legs. His father, 40, sister, 15 and brother, 14, were also slightly burnt in the legs and feet," he said when contacted here today.

Saiful Bahri said the child's mother and grandfather who were also at the premises, were not injured.

He said it was believed that the petrol was used in the workshop to clean vehicle engines and the fire was caused by heat sources there.

He added that fire was put out by the family before firefighters arrived.

The victims were sent to the Sultan Ismail Hospital here for treatment, including the father who also suffered breathing difficulties.

Meanwhile, in MIRI, 41 people from seven families were left with only the clothes on their backs after a fire destroyed their homes in Kampung Sebuan Besar, Bintulu early this morning.

Bintulu Fire and Rescue Station chief Di-Hatta Gobel said the close proximity of the houses meant that the fire spread quickly, destroying them and a hut where fishermen equipment were kept.

However, no casualties were reported.