Kangar Petrol Station Car Fire: Was It A Fuel Smuggling Mule?

The Perlis Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) announced on social media last Friday that at around 4.04PM it had reacted to a car fire incident at the Petron Repoh Station in Kangar, Perlis.

Ten firefighters from the Kangar Fire and Rescue Station (BBP Kangar) arrived on site with a fire engine, an EMRS unit truck, and a Toyota Hilux. According to JBPM Operations Officer Safry bin Romly, the fire destroyed about 50% of a Proton Iswara Aeroback.

Meanwhile, Kangar District Police Chief ACP Yusharifuddin Mohd Yusop reported that a man in his 40s was refuelling at one of the station's pumps when a sudden explosion caused minor injuries to his hands from broken glass shards. The man was taken to Tuanku Fauziah Hospital in Kangar for treatment.

According to Bernama, the Fire Department's Forensic Investigators believe the fire started in the front passenger seat and that a spark from a mobile phone ignited the fuel vapour in the vicinity. The explosion also caused damage to the gas station's roof.

Now, while this was the statement and report issued, the images presented paint a completely different picture. First and foremost, the vehicle is not a Proton Iswara Aeroback, but a Proton Wira Aeroback. That could have been an honest mistake.

However, none of the reports addressed the abnormally big makeshift fuel tank that appears to have been installed at the back of the car boot, which might be used to fuel up and transport an exceptionally large volume of fuel.

This was particularly highlighted by Facebook user "Ommg Omariz," who pointed out with proper indications the unusually huge tank at the rear and makeshift fuel lines leading into the vehicles cabin, implying that this vehicle could have been used to smuggle fuel into neighbouring Thailand. This also explains the nature of the explosion, which originated in the cabin.

This is more possible given that the incident occurred in Kangar, Perlis, a major hub for foreign fuel smuggling operations. During Operation Pantau in 2022, two petrol stations in Perlis were discovered to be participating in such activity. Hence, we at CariCarz.com are asking if there will be a follow-up to this initial report, or if the issue will not be addressed any further?