‘We thought a plane had crashed’
Residents in Bukit Baru jolted as fireworks stored in house go off
MALACCA: Panic gripped residents of Bukit Baru here when caches of fireworks in a house exploded.
So strong was the blast that some people thought that an airplane had crashed in their neighbourhood.
The 7.45am blast also shocked Malacca police chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Chuah Ghee Lye, who was in his house about 1.5km away from the scene.
The 60-something owner of the house in Lorong Sidang Omar, Jalan Penghulu Abas, managed to escape unscathed. His home was partly ravaged. State Fire and Rescue Department personnel, who arrived at the scene minutes later, also discovered RM300,000 in the house.
I was not home when a neighbour called and told me about the fire. My only thought was to save my three children and elderly mother. — K. DEWI
The stacks of money,e kept in a pail, were not affected by the fire.
SAC Chuah, who rushed to the scene, said police would investigate whether the house owner had a permit to store such a large quantity of fireworks in a residential area.
“We believe the fireworks were stored in two rooms inside the house,” he said.
A neighbour, K. Dewi, 38, said she and her family members had to dodge sparks produced by the ignited fireworks as they ran for safety.
“I was not home when a neighbour called and told me about the fire. My only thought was to save my three children and elderly mother,” she said.
“I rushed back, and with the sparks flying all around us, bundled them in my car and drove to a safer distance.”
Another neighbour, who wanted to be identified only as Sharif, 42, said he was preparing to leave for work when he was jolted by the deafening blast.
“I panicked and ran out as I thought a plane had crashed nearby. Then I saw my neighbour’s house on fire.
“Luckily, the firemen managed to prevent it from spreading to my house,” he said.
He added that he was glad that his wife and two children were not home when the explosion occurred.
Department deputy director Sohami Mohamed said a distress call was received at 8.02am and seven engines from Bukit Katil, Ayer Keroh and Jalan Kubu fire stations were despatched to the scene.
He said the fire was brought under control in 30 minutes.
“We will also investigate how the fire started and why a large quantity of fireworks had been stored inside the house,” he added.
Jalan Kubu fire station chief Yazid Mohd Tahir said the money was returned to the house owner.