A fire broke out at the Lotus F1 team's hospitality unit at 3.40am today.

Sepang International Circuit Sdn Bhd (SIC) chief executive officer Ahmad Razlan Ahmad Razali said according to the report from the Fire and Rercue Department, the cause was a refrigerator being placed too close the gypsum (plasterboard) wall of the unit.

"It (fridge) had been in the position for four days. I received a call in the incident from my chief of security. Earlier, members of the Mercedes and Lotus teams had extinguished the fire using fire extinguishers before fire and rescue personal came to carry out their duties," he told reporters at the circuit.

He said among the items damaged was a spare helmet belonging to Lotus' driver Kimi Raikonnen.

    

He said the team had temporarily moved to another unit and that the damaged unit was expected to be repaired by today or early tomorrow.

"...items provided by SIC like tables and chairs were damaged. However, the team's cooking equipment were spared and can still be used. Losses don not amount to much except for the helmet which is rather costly," he said.

Raikonnen’s spare helmet ‘perished’

Meanwhile, Lotus F1 team in a statement said that no one was hurt in the conflagration, however, the team did lose catering equipment, food and drinks and also media and marketing materials.

"A spare helmet for Kimi Raikonnen perished in the blaze, further driver equipment was rescued, albeit covered in soot.

"A new Lotus F1 Team hospitality unit is located at the end of the paddock, next to Marussia's home," it said.

The Lotus F1 Team press office is now temporarily located in the SIC Main Media Centre.

- Bernama