No It Wasn’t Lightning! It Was A Cigarette Butt That Caused The Car To Explode

The death of a Proton Iswara Aeroback driver who was carrying a load of firecrackers was not actually caused by being struck by lightning but instead was caused by a cigarette butt that made the car violently explode.

This was mentioned by Kelantan Police Chief, Datuk Shafien Mamat when asked to comment on the incident of a car exploding which was said to have been struck by lightning in Kampung Sireh, Kota Bahru, Kelantan last Friday.

Based on the latest information, several witnesses claimed that they saw the victim trying to remove cigarette butts from the crack of the window glass that was opened in a narrow condition.

"However, the cigarette butt fell into his car which led to the car’s sudden loud explosion," he said.

The results of the investigation also found that the victim was carrying firecrackers in very large quantities. Police are also still investigating whether the firecrackers were sold wholesale or retail.

The victim, identified as Wan Hassan Wan Ali, 48, also had a criminal record related to drug abuse and burglary.

So far, three of the four victims are still being treated at the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital.

All the victims were reported stable while one of the victims has been allowed to return home.

The incident became a hot topic when the car was said to have exploded due to being struck by lightning.

Several pictures that were shared on social media also showed fragments of green firecrackers at the location.

This was the first incident in Kelantan where the police needed the help of the Bukit Aman Bomb Unit team to conduct an investigation to identify the cause of the explosion.

Last Friday, Caricarz reported a car carrying a big amount of firecrackers exploded due to being struck by lightning. The incident left one dead, while four were injured.