JOHOR BAHRU: A BMW 525i car belonging to Johor Baru Umno division vice-chief Datuk Yahya Jaafar was destroyed in a fire at his home today, believed to be the result of arson.

No one was injured in the fire which engulfed the car and also damaged part of the house’s awning in the incident which occurred at about noon at Bandar Baru Uda, here.

Johor Baru Fire and Rescue department operation commander Khairul Azhar Abdul Aziz said the car was parked in Yahya’s porch, and that the fire partially damaged the house’s roof.

“The case has been handed over to the police and Fire and Rescue department’s forensic unit.

“Initial checks indicate that it was probably an act of arson, based on an eyewitness account,” said Khairul Azhar.

A seven-member team from the Johor Baru Fire and Rescue Department doused the flames in less than 20 minutes.

Yahya, who is on his way back to Malaysia after preforming haj, could not be reached for comment.

His wife, Datin Suraiya Hassan, their children and his mother-in-law were at home during the incident.-nst