KTMB confirms cargo train locomotive catches fire in Johor

 

Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) has confirmed that a cargo train locomotive caught fire at Kilometer 4.75 along the Kempas Baru-Pasir Gudang route around 1.10 pm today. Pic courtesy of KTMB

JOHOR BARU: Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) has confirmed that a cargo train locomotive caught fire at Kilometre 4.75 along the Kempas Baru-Pasir Gudang route around 1.10 pm today.

In a statement, KTMB said locomotive M1004 was hauling cargo train No. 193 from Port of Tanjung Pelepas to Pasir Gudang when the incident occurred.

The train driver immediately stopped the train after noticing the fire as a safety precaution.

"The fire was completely extinguished by the Fire and Rescue Department at 2.50 pm. No injuries were reported," the statement said.

KTMB said safety measures were also put in place at the affected area before trains were allowed to resume.

The locomotive was taken to the Kempas Baru Depot for technical inspection and damage assessment.

Further inspections will be conducted with Berapit Mobility and the Railway Assets Corporation (RAC) to determine the cause of the fire.

The locomotive is part of KTMB's Rolling Stock Strategy (RSS), which involves 44 locomotives and 246 cargo wagons under a sale-and-leaseback arrangement to strengthen the country's freight rail operations.

"Findings from the investigation will be reviewed to determine the necessary preventive and improvement measures. The public is advised against speculation, and further updates will be provided as they become available," the statement said.

Meanwhile, the Johor Fire and Rescue Department Operations Centre said seven personnel from the Tebrau Fire and Rescue Station was dispatched to the scene after receiving an emergency call, adding that the fire caused about five per cent damage to the locomotive. - NST