2 Fire Accidents Around Gadong Yesterday
By Za'imZaini, Haji Minor Absah & Rosh Abidin Yahya

Bandar Seri Begawan - There was a major traffic jam along Jalan Gadong after a vehicle caught fire yesterday morning.

The Fire and Rescue Department received the distress call at 10.15am and arrived at the scene in five minutes. They managed to extinguish the flames within two minutes.

The fire was caused by a short circuit in the wiring of the engine, according to Asst Supt Pg Hj Roslan bin Pg Hj Halus, the head of Investigation Unit, Fire and Rescue Department. He added that the estimated loss was $7,000.

He told the Bulletin that the driver of the vehicle was not at the scene. It is believed that the expired road tax was forged, he added.

A motorist who witnessed the car catching fire told the Bulletin that it was important for people to seek qualified and authorised technicians to install.stereo systems or alarm systems for their vehicles.

He told the Bulletin that his vehicle caught fire a few years ago due to poor wiring.

"As I wanted to save money, I asked an inexperienced person - a friend of mine - to install a stereo system in my car," he told the Bulletin. "However, it was

a disaster as it caused a short circuit and my whole vehicle was charred."

He advised people to go to proper technicians if they wish to have stereos installed in their vehicles. The most sensible thing to do is to let the shops where they purchased the stereos from to do the installation, he added.

The Bulletin contacted an insurance company where an official explained that in cases of vehicles catching fire, reports from the police and fire departments would be needed to process insurance claims.'

"We have never come across a car that was burnt due to short circuits or wrong connections," the official said. "However, there could be cases like that."

A shop specialising in stereo systems and car accessories said their technicians are graduates of technical and vocational schools who have lots of experience.

Meanwhile, in another incident that occurred yesterday in Gadong, a fire broke out at a restaurant.

Fortunately, the sprinkler system managed to control the fire.

The Fire and Rescue Department received a report about the incident at 9.56am. There were no customers in the building at that time.

According to the head of Investigation Unit, Fire and Rescue Department, the cause of the fire was due to loose connections in the light dimmer switch of the restaurant and the estimated loss was put at $10,000. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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