KOTA KINABALU: Quick thinking by a petrol station attendant saved three family members and their double-storey house from going up in smoke in Kampung Likas on Tuesday.
Azmi, 24, who works at the Shell petrol station in Kampung Likas opposite Survey Hypermall, and a colleague also climbed over the fence with a fire extinguisher to try to put out the fire which broke out about 11.40pm.
“I was working night shift when a customer told me there was smoke coming out from the house, just opposite the petrol station.
“I immediately called the Fire and Rescue Department and before they arrived, my colleague and I took a fire extinguisher to help to put out the fire.
“As we entered the house compound, we shouted to wake up the owner and occupants. A few minutes later, three people, including a senior citizen, ran out from the house,” he said when met at the scene yesterday.
Azmi said less than five minutes later, four fire engines arrived at the scene and the firemen controlled the situation.
The fire believed caused by an electric short-circuit, started from a room on the first floor of the house.
Meanwhile, Fire and Rescue Services Department public relations officer Mohd Affendy Ramin said a distress call was received at 11.57pm and four fire engines, one from Lintas and three from Sembulan with 19 personnel arrived at the scene within minutes.
“Only smoke was coming out from the house and we managed to control the situation within a couple of minutes.
“Initial investigation revealed the incident was due to an electric short-circuit but we are still carrying out investigation,” he said, adding that no casualty was reported.