Kedah fire and rescue department operations division assistant director Azhar Mohamad said a distress call was received at 1.05am, and a seven-member team from the Jitra fire and rescue station was dispatched to the scene, about 6km away.

“We found a Honda Civic FD engulfed in flames, with about 85% of the vehicle destroyed. Two victims, believed to be a man and a woman, were discovered inside the car.

“Five members of the Seberang Nyonya volunteer fire team assisted the operation. The victims were extricated after the fire was brought under control at 1.23am,” he said in a statement today.

Azhar said the bodies were handed over to the police for further action, and that the operation concluded at 4.15am.

Kubang Pasu police chief Radzi Abdul Rahim, in a statement later, said the driver, a businessman, was believed to have suddenly lost control of the car before it crashed into the toll lane divider, overturned and caught fire.