4WD believed to be involved in JB mall fire

A fire in the basement car park of a Johor Bahru shopping mall occurred earlier this afternoon, with a four-wheel-drive vehicle believed to have played a role. Emergency services responded swiftly, with fire engines reaching the scene just six minutes after the call was made. The incident involved 11 vehicles, eight of which suffered significant damage, while the others sustained varying degrees of harm.

A Singaporean individual among the 11 occupants experienced breathing difficulties but was later treated and is currently stable. The mall's smoke extraction and fire safety systems proved crucial in enabling firefighters to carry out their duties effectively. The building was subsequently closed temporarily, with the basement car park remaining off-limits for further investigation by the fire and rescue department's forensics unit. The mall has since returned to normal operations.