PADAWAN: Authorities are suspecting that arson was in play after five motorcycles were destroyed in a fire in front of a 24-hour convenience store at Jalan Matang here yesterday (Mar 11).
Padawan district police chief Supt Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad, in a statement, said the state Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Zone 1 Forensic unit informed them that the cause of the fire was believed to be arson.
“Investigations are currently underway to obtain the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of the premises.
“Our team from the D7 and D9 branches have been instructed to identify the suspect(s) and the actual cause of the fire,” he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 435 of the Penal Code for committing mischief by fire, which carries a maximum of 14 years imprisonment and is subject to a fine upon conviction.
The complainant, a 21-year-old salesgirl at the convenience store, reportedly saw a motorcycle on fire in front of the premises at around 5.30am, according to Abang Zainal.
Elaborating, he said that Bomba was called in to extinguish the fire, which had caused five motorcycles to be destroyed.
He added that the Modenas brand motorcycles are prizes for a lucky draw organised monthly by the premises operator in order to increase their sales.
“As a result, the losses incurred are estimated to be around RM20,000.
“The complainant contacted her employer and lodged a report for insurance reference as well as further investigation by Bomba and the police,” he said.
During the incident, the complainant was inside the store and did not notice or see anyone who was responsible for the fire.
He added that no one had come to threaten the complainant, and no suspicious circumstances had occurred before the incident.
