A routine day at work turned into a heartbreaking tragedy after a 4-year-old boy lost his life in a lorry fire at a construction site in Johor.
The incident happened at around 10am today (27 Mar) at Iskandar Halal Park in Cahaya Baru, Pasir Gudang.
Left in lorry while father stepped away briefly
According to China Press, the young boy had followed his father to work that morning.
After arriving at the site, the father parked the lorry and left his son inside while he went to the office to settle some matters.
However, in a matter of moments, the front of the lorry suddenly caught fire.
Fire spread too quickly for escape
By the time the father realised what was happening, the flames had already intensified.
Tragically, the boy was unable to escape in time and was burned to death inside the vehicle.
The father reportedly could do nothing but watch helplessly as the fire engulfed the lorry.
Firefighters arrived within minutes
Pasir Gudang Fire and Rescue Station chief, Faidzul, said authorities received a distress call at about 10.46am.
Six firefighters were deployed and arrived at the scene around 10.58am, where they found a Volvo lorry already on fire, with the child still inside.
Firefighters used six fire extinguishers and an excavator to contain the blaze, with soil being used to cover the flames before water was applied from the fire engine.
The fire was eventually brought under control and fully extinguished.
Child pronounced dead at the scene
After the fire was put out, the boy was found with severe burns and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Faidzul added that the father was in a state of shock and deep grief following the incident, and authorities did not question him extensively at the time.
The firefighting operation concluded at around 1.30pm, and the child’s body has since been handed over to the police for further investigation.
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