Some regular LRT commuters in Kuala Lumpur saw their journeys disrupted somewhat yesterday afternoon when authorities were forced to temporarily close the KLCC LRT station. Said closure was caused by an electrical fire that was thankfully doused and put under control.
Firefighters from JBPM Kuala Lumpur response centre were first notified of the incident at 4:15PM yesterday (Jan 2, Thursday) after commuters had reported to station staff after seeing smoke plumes. The station was subsequently evacuated and closed shortly after.
According to JBPM Kuala Lumpur, responders from the Jalan Tun Razak Fire and Rescue Station were despatched. They arrived on scene to find the fire, which broke out of a switch box panel at the station’s underground section, had been extinguished by on-site emergency responders.
Critically, there were no serious injuries or casualties reported from this incident. Further assessment revealed that the fire involved a pump switch box, but the cause of which is still being investigated says Operations Commander PBK II Mohamed Azimin Mohamed Zahidi.
The station was later re-opened at 5:52PM, but passengers were only allowed to enter the station in stages as directed by station staff. This was done to alleviate congestion in and around the station, as well as its platforms, explained operators Rapid Rail.
Additionally, complimentary shuttle busses were also deployed during the station’s closure, and these aided in the efforts of transferring passengers to and from two nearby stations – Dang Wangi and Ampang Park.