ALOR GAJAH, June 3 — A man suffered burns to about 50 per cent of his body after being hit by an explosion believed to have been caused by a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) leak at a house in Taman Baiduri, Kuala Ina here today.

Melaka Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) zone 2 chief, Assistant Fire Superintendent Zulkhairani Ramli said his department received an emergency call about the incident at about 10.26 am before a team of personnel from the Alor Gajah Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) was dispatched to the location.

“Upon arrival at the location, the fire brigade found a 29-year-old man who was a tenant of the house injured after a sudden explosion in the kitchen.

“The JBPM Emergency Rescue and Treatment Service (EMRS) team provided initial treatment to the victim before handing him over to the Ministry of Health (MOH) medical team and taking him to Tampin Hospital for further treatment,” he said in a statement today.

Explaining further, Zulkhairani said it was understood that before the incident, the victim, who had just returned from his village in Pahang, noticed a sound believed to be caused by a gas leak in the house before inspecting the cooking gas cylinder.

He said that while the victim was inspecting, a sudden explosion occurred which caused him to suffer burn injuries and serious damage to the house.

“The explosion caused damage to the roof of the house in addition to affecting the building structure including doors and windows, ceiling and electrical wiring.

“Monitoring and safety inspections are also being carried out to ensure there is no risk of a subsequent gas leak, in addition to assisting with investigations into the incident,” he said.

He said the incident was suspected to have been caused by a leak of LPG gas that had accumulated in the house before the explosion and further investigations were still being carried out to determine the exact cause of the incident. — Bernama

MELAKA, June 7 — A turtle weighing between 40 and 60 kilogrammes was rescued by the Melaka Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) after it was found trapped in a drain near a motel in Tanjung Kling here today. 

Melaka JBPM Public Relations officer Deputy Fire Superintendent II Mohd Hafidzatullah Rashid said the department received an emergency call at 11.33am, and a team of seven personnel from the Tangga Batu Fire and Rescue Station was deployed to the location. 

“Upon arrival, a turtle was found trapped in the drain, and a rescue operation was carried out successfully. It was later safely released back into the sea,” he said in a statement today. 

He added that the turtle is believed to be a hawksbill turtle and the special service operation was conducted as part of efforts to help conserve the turtle population. — Bernama