SOMEONE shouted “jangan padam, pukul Bomba” (don’t douse the fire, hit the firemen) during the riots at the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple last November, the coroners’ court heard today.

Fireman Sharol Anuar Kamarudin, 27, told the court that he could not identify the person who said it as there were about 100 people gathered around the fire truck.

He was testifying in the inquest into the death of fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim, who succumbed to injuries sustained during the violence at the temple.

Sharol said he and Adib were part of the team dispatched to the scene.

He said he heard people shouting when the team approached a burning car outside the house of worship.

“When we arrived, I jumped off the fire truck to grab the nozzle (of the fire hose). That was when three people came towards the truck.

“It was then that I heard someone say a few times, ‘jangan padam, pukul Bomba’.”

He said he saw what appeared to be weapons carried by some in the crowd.

“I got scared and quickly jumped back into the truck.

“I realised that the situation was getting chaotic, and I feared for my life.”

Deputy public prosecutor Zafran Rahim Hamzah asked Sharol if he could identify the people who shouted at the team.

He said he was unable to, due to the large crowd.

“There were about 100 people who came towards us from the direction of the temple.”

He said a second Fire and Rescue Department vehicle, namely an Emergency Medical Rescue Services van, was surrounded by a group when the fire truck was reversing.

Earlier, fireman Mohd Hazim Mohd Rahimi testified that a group of people rushed towards the truck from the temple when he got down to take out the hose reel.

“I saw some people with weapons going to the front of the truck.

“Someone chased me, and I ran towards the EMRS van. I opened the left door and hid inside the van.

“I laid down next to the stretcher.”

Hazim said he did not see anyone, including Adib, leave the van.

“If he (Adib) was outside the van, I would have noticed because he was in the fireman’s uniform.”

The inquest continues tomorrow. – February 14, 2019.