…By Jack Sylva for TDPel Media.
Lin YuFend from Singapore grabbed a crowbar and used it to break the windshield of his friend’s BMW car to try and put out the fire.
A video of Lin swinging the metal tool towards the car went viral, with some viewers calling him “dumb” for his action.
The footage also showed Lin’s friend grabbing a fire extinguisher to put out the flames after he smashed the windshield.
According to local media, Lin claimed he wasn’t acting out of panic and they couldn’t unlock the car.
He said they saw flames sparking between the driver’s seat and the passenger’s seat, and feared the car would explode.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted to the fire near 91 Desker Road in Little India at about 1:45 a.m. on April 13.
Members of the public used a dry powder extinguisher to put out the fire prior to the officers’ arrival.
There were no reported injuries, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Lin’s friend, who owns the car, used the fire extinguisher to put out the flames after Lin broke the windshield.
The business partner said he only bought the car eight months ago and is waiting for the insurance company to get back to him about how much he can claim for the damages.
Commentary:
This incident shows the dangers of attempting to put out a car fire on your own without proper training or equipment.
While Lin YuFend may have thought he was doing the right thing by using a crowbar to break the windshield, it could have led to further damage or injury.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force advised members of the public not to attempt to put out fires themselves and to call the emergency services immediately.
It is essential to stay calm and seek help in these situations rather than risk injury or make the situation worse.