KTMB confirms cargo train locomotive catches fire in Johor

Johor Baru: The Malaysian State Railways (KTMB) has reported that a cargo train locomotive experienced a fire at a location four and three-quarter kilometers along the Kempas Baru-Pasir Gudang route at approximately 1:10 pm today. KTMB reported that locomotive M1004 was transporting cargo train number 193 from Tanjung Pelepas Port to Pasir Gudang when the incident took place. The train driver promptly halted the train for safety reasons upon observing the fire.

The fire was completely put out by the Fire and Rescue Department by 2:50 pm. No injuries were reported in the incident. KTMB stated that additional safety measures were implemented at the affected area before trains were permitted to resume their operations. The damaged locomotive was moved to the Kempas Baru Depot for a technical examination and damage assessment.

Further inspections are planned in cooperation with Berapit Mobility and the Railway Assets Corporation (RAC) to ascertain the origin of the fire. These findings will be reviewed to establish necessary preventive and enhancement measures. KTMB owns this locomotive as part of its Rolling Stock Strategy (RSS), which encompasses 44 locomotives and 246 cargo wagons acquired through a sale-and-leaseback scheme aimed at enhancing the nation's freight rail services.

The public is cautioned against making assumptions and additional updates will be issued as they become accessible. The Johor Fire and Rescue Department Operations Centre disclosed that seven staff members from the Tebrau Fire and Rescue Station were dispatched to the scene following an emergency call. The fire inflicted around five percent damage to the locomotive.