Student recounts horrific fire at circuit

KUALA LUMPUR: It was a dramatic scene at a courtroom here as a video of a fire that broke out at the Sepang International Circuit in 2010 was played.

The video was played during the testimony of student Jordan Saw Yu Huan, 24, in his civil case on Friday.

Saw suffered burns after the fire broke out during a refueling exercise near the pit-stop area at SIC.

He has named five parties as defendant in his claim – racing car driver Low Suan Chuan, a director of Team Empire Motorsports Sdn Bhd Ashraff Dewal Mohd Ali, sponsor Aylezo Motorsports Sdn Bhd, organiser of “Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race 2010” (MMER) Sepang International Circuit Sdn Bhd and Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM).

Saw told High Court judge Justice Dr Prasad Sandosham Abraham how the fire suddenly broke out during a refueling and tyre changing exercise on Aug 8, 2010.

Questioned by his lead counsel Goik Kenzu earlier, Saw said the petrol hose was too short and it came out from the nozzle.

“The next thing I knew, I felt a heat wave. I jumped backwards then ran with my eyes shut while screaming in pain,” said Saw who was standing near the car when the incident happened.

In his lawsuit filed on Aug 3 last year, Saw said that he was assigned to change the car’s tyre for the team on that day.

Among others, Saw is claiming RM249,689 in special damages for his injuries and losses for the alleged negligence of the five defendants.

Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr FarrahHani Imran testified that Saw suffered burns on 56% of his body.

The hearing continues on March 6.