KUANTAN: A 45-year-old welder was killed while another worker suffered injuries when a diesel tank they were repairing exploded at a workshop at Taman Tunas Jaya, Semambu here today.
The 5.30pm incident occurred when the victim, identified as Lai Hoy Shin from Sungai Lembing, and his colleague – Nur Kabir Abdul Hussein, 25, from Myanmar – were doing welding works on the diesel lorry.
State Fire and Rescue Department director Nor Hisham Mohammed said investigations revealed that there was an explosion, causing the lorry to catch fire.
“The lorry which was laden with a generator caught fire and was completely razed. The charred remains of Lai were found nearby while Nur Kabir suffered injuries to his hands," he said in a statement today.
Nor Hisham said the department received a distress call at about 5.33pm and three fire engines and a water tanker along with 24 firemen from the Kuantan and Indera Mahkota fire stations rushed to the scene.
“Firemen took about 20 minutes to bring the fire under control. The department is still investigating the cause of the fire and the losses incurred,” he said.
It was learnt that the vehicle's fuel tank was empty before the duo began welding works and the explosion could have been triggered by diesel vapour.