Photographer’s Car Damaged By Explosion Debris While Covering Fire In Masai, Johor

By Nur Fatin Mohmad Kadenen

JOHOR BAHRU, June 21 (Bernama) -- A car belonging to a photographer from the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) was damaged after being hit by explosion debris while he was covering a fire at a lorry and engine oil storage facility at Jalan Cenderai 27, Taman Kota Puteri, Masai, here today.

Mohd Hilmizudin Daud, 34, who is based at the Johor Bureau, did not expect that debris from the explosion would damage his Perodua Kelisa, which was parked about 100 metres from the scene.

He said the debris broke the left-side wing mirror and left dents and scratches on the same side of the car.

Mohd Hilmizudin, a father of one who is expecting a second child in early July, said he had no choice but to come to terms with the damage to the car that had been his faithful companion on countless assignments for the past three years.

“I only realised my car was damaged around 7 pm after I had completed my assignment. While I was shooting, there were many explosions and barrels even flew into the air, which I managed to capture.

“When I reached my car and started the engine to reverse, I noticed the left wing mirror was missing. Initially, I thought it had been folded back because someone might have leaned against the car,” he told Bernama.

Mohd Hilmizudin said he had rushed to the scene with his colleague, reporter Nur Fadhliana Shaari, at around 2 pm after being informed of the incident. He was relieved that they were not injured while at the scene.

“This is the first time something like this has happened in my 11 years as a Bernama photographer.

“Upon arrival, we both immediately carried out our duties. However, not long after, the media present were asked to stay away from the area by firefighters as the heat intensified and there were explosions,” he said.

He said more than 10 media personnel present subsequently moved their vehicles to a safer location away from the scene.

The blaze sent a column of thick black smoke soaring 100 metres into the air, visible from as far as five kilometres away on the Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) Expressway. Several explosions could also be heard, causing concern among nearby residents.

Zone I deputy chief Senior Fire Superintendent II Rosfarawadi Ismani Ismail was reported to have said that five premises and 15 vehicles were destroyed in the fire, which covered an area of around 1,000 square metres.

The Johor Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Command Centre received an emergency call at 12.54 pm, and 34 personnel and assets from several fire stations and a volunteer fire brigade were dispatched to the scene.

As of 6.30 pm, Bernama’s survey found that around 20 families from Taman Megah Ria near the location of the fire had been instructed to temporarily evacuate their homes until firefighting operations were completed.

Many residents were also seen gathering in nearby open areas.

-- BERNAMA