Transport 15 Jerry Cans Of Fuel, Minibus In Konawe Catches Fire, Driver Burns On Cheek, Hands To Feet

A minibus carrying 15 jerry cans of fuel caught fire on Jalan Unaaha-Kendari. (Between)

KENDARI - A Toyota Avanza minibus suspected of carrying gasoline caught fire on Jalan Unaaha-Kendari, Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi. As a result, the driver's body suffered burns of about 30 percent.

Konawe Police Chief AKBP Wasis Santoso said the car with the police number DT 1934 FE caught fire after filling up with petrol at the Sinar Unaaha Sejaterah gas station, Lahotutu Village, West Wongeduku District, Konawe on Monday morning May 30.

"It happened Monday, May 30, at around 09.30 WITA in Lahotutu Village. The car was driven by a driver named Sukur, aged 39, from Waitombo Village, Mowewe District, East Kolaka Regency," he said in a written statement, quoted from Antara, Monday 30 May.

The incident began when the driver Sukur alias Abang filled 15 jerry cans of gasoline at the Sinar Unaaha Sejaterah gas station using a white Toyota Avanza minibus.

After filling up the gas, the driver got out of the gas station and stopped in front of Pertamina, about 50 meters from the gas station, while making a phone call. Shortly after, the car he was driving emitted black smoke and immediately caught fire.

"Pertamina officers extinguished the fire using fire extinguishers at Pertamina," he said.

At 10.20 WITA, officers arrived at the scene to extinguish the fire. It only took 10 minutes, the fire that burned the car was successfully extinguished.

After being hit by fire, the condition of the Avanza was left with only a skeleton. All car materials made from plastic, foam, cloth, to rubber, quickly caught fire with the flames.

According to him, the results of the diagnosis from the UPTD Public Health Center of the West Wongeduku District Health Center explained that the driver suffered burns of about 30 percent with burns on the left cheek, right and left hands, and burns on the left thigh.

"Currently the victim is referred to the Konawe District Hospital for further treatment," he said.