GEORGE TOWN: A driver narrowly escaped harm when his Mercedes C200 caught fire and was subsequently destroyed on the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Bridge. The incident, which occurred at the 18-kilometer mark of the bridge, led to significant traffic congestion but resulted in no casualties.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Barat Daya district police chief, ACP Sazalee Adam, reported that the driver managed to steer his vehicle to the side of the road and exit safely. The fire ignited after the car collided with a battery that was lying in the middle of the road while the driver was traveling from Batu Kawan to Batu Maung at approximately 3:18 p.m.

The Penang Fire and Rescue Department’s operations center confirmed receiving an emergency call at the same time. A fire engine from the Bayan Baru fire and rescue station, along with additional support from the Batu Kawan station, promptly arrived at the scene to extinguish the flames. Officials reported that the car was over 80 percent destroyed by the fire.

The fire department completed cleanup operations within half an hour. An investigation into the cause of the fire and the extent of the losses is currently underway.