KOTA BARU: Police confirmed that the Proton Iswara which exploded following a lightning strike at Kampung Sireh here today was loaded with banned ball-type firecrackers.
State police chief Datuk Shafien Mamat said this was based on preliminary investigation carried out by the forensic team at the scene.
Fragments of the firecrackers were found at the scene.
"Police's initial investigation showed that the firecrackers had exploded after the car was hit by lightning.
"The explosion also damaged five other cars and injured at least four people," he told reporters at the scene.
Shafien said the huge explosion, at about 5.30pm today, also resulted in the Iswara being ripped into two, killing the driver instantly.
He added that the driver, believed to be a local in his 50s, was thrown off some 20 metres away from the scene.
"Also damaged were several nearby buildings including a mosque and a kindergarten," he added.
Twelve firemen from Darulnaim and Tunjong Fire and Rescue stations rushed to the scene soon after receiving a distress call at 5.39pm.
The firemen led by Darulnaim Fire and Rescue chief Mohd Ridzuan Ali took more than two hours to put out the blaze following the explosion.
Mohd Ridzuan told reporters that the department was still investigating the cause of the incident.
"We will cooperate with the police in the investigation," he added.