FIREFIGHTERS responding to a car fire in Senggarang, Johor, made a tragic discovery when they found the charred remains of an elderly man in the driver’s seat of the vehicle.
The incident occurred near Pantai Sungai Lurus, a coastal area in Batu Pahat, and was reported by members of the public. Due to the inaccessibility of the location — reachable only by narrow paths — fire crews were forced to rely on motorcycles borrowed from civilians to reach the burning vehicle.
Confirming the incident, Batu Pahat District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Shahrulanuar Mushaddat Abdullah Sani, said the police were alerted by the Rengit Fire and Rescue Station (BBP Rengit) about a body found inside the scorched car.
“Initial investigation indicates the remains are of a 72-year-old local male,” he said in a statement. “However, official confirmation of the identity will be conducted via deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing. The case is currently classified as a sudden death.”
Authorities have appealed for public assistance. “Anyone with information is urged to come forward or contact Sub-Inspector Abriza Yaakub, the Officer-in-Charge at Senggarang Police Station, at 019-7275995, or visit the nearest police station,” Shahrulanuar added.
Due to the limited access, firefighters were unable to bring their standard fire engines to the scene. Instead, they relied on motorcycles and improvised firefighting techniques.
Senior Operations Commander, Norhisam Abdul Talib, explained that the team resorted to using buckets filled with water from a nearby river in their initial attempt to douse the flames.
Photographs from the scene, shared by the Fire and Rescue Department, show the extent of the difficulties posed by the remote terrain, underscoring the challenges faced by first responders in rural or poorly accessible areas.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. - September 25, 2025
