Modified NGV unit explodes, trader dies

MALACCA: A trader who turned a cooking gas cylinder into a natural gas vehicle (NGV) storage unit to power his van died hours after the tank exploded at a petrol station here on Friday.

Mohd Hilmi Ishak, 25,died at the station in Jalan Datuk Seri Md Zin Abd Ghani, Batu Berendam.

His brother, Mohd Rosli, 30, and a friend identified as Razali Md Zin, 31, who were in the van, which burst into flames, sustained serious injuries and have been warded at the Malacca Hospital.

The explosion is believed to have been caused by a spark from the engine, which was running at that time.

Jalan Kubu Fire and Rescue Services Department operations chief Mokhtar Osman said Hilmi was in the driver's seat when the tan k exploded.
"We believe that the self-modified cooking gas cylinder was placed under the driver's seat and covered with canvas."

Mokhtar said investigations revealed that Hilmi had attached the hose to the modified tank and was filling it when the tank exploded.

He said the department received a call about 8.10pm and a team was dispatched to the area.

They took 20 minutes to put out the fire.

In Rembau, The Road Transport Department said it will post the list of 72 authorised NGV installer workshops on its website and publish it in the newspapers by next week.

Currently, there are 58 workshops authorised by the RTD to convert vehicles to run on natural gas.

"Sometimes, people are taken in by the cheap NGV conversions offered by irresponsible workshops," said RTD director-general Datuk Solah Mat Hassan said after presenting a group of senior citizens with their motorcycle licences in a ceremony at Sekolah Kebangsaan Undang Rembau.

"Some people also ignore the basic safety rules at petrol stations, like switching off the engine or handphones."

He was referring the accident which claimed Hilmi's life.

Solah said two similar incidents in Cheras in Kuala Lumpur and Kepong have been reported.

He advised motorists to patronise RTD accredited workshops and have the vehicle inspected by Puspakom to ensure all safety guidelines have been followed.

Source: The New Straits Times