Lorry Carrying Flammable Materials Burns on Highway, Authorities Push to Grass Slope for Safe Removal

(Selangor, 16th) Last night, a trailer lorry believed to be carrying aluminum or zinc oxide caught fire at the 28th kilometer mark of the North-South Expressway Central Link (ELITE) heading towards Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department Deputy Director Ahmad Mukhlis stated that authorities received the emergency call at 9:25 PM last night and proceeded to the scene for rescue operations.

In his statement, he said that the fire occurred in the trailer section of the lorry, burning about 80% of the area.

"The lorry was transporting flammable materials, so firefighters exercised a high level of caution during the firefighting operation to prevent reignition."

He said that authorities finally managed to completely extinguish the fire at 9:25 AM this morning, taking nearly 12 hours.

However, Ahmad Mukhlis stated that the authorities are currently facing difficulties removing the truck, as the process may generate sparks from contact between an excavator (Backhoe) and metal.

He said that after discussions, the authorities adopted an alternative plan—pushing the lorry to a five-foot-high grass slope—to ensure that the removal could be carried out safely.