GEORGE TOWN – A major fire destroyed five business premises near Penang’s iconic Chew Jetty early Saturday morning, but prompt action by firefighters prevented the flames from spreading to surrounding residential areas and a nearby petrol station.
The Penang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) received a distress call at 1.08 am and deployed 30 personnel from the Lebuh Pantai, Jalan Perak, Paya Terubong, and Bayan Baru fire stations to the scene.
Northeast District Zone 1 operations officer Rosli Ibrahim stated that the blaze engulfed a car workshop, a car paint shop, a welding shop, a scrap goods dealer, and a timber factory situated close to one another.
“Upon arriving at the scene, firefighters found the blaze had spread rapidly due to the close proximity of the structures, but no casualties were reported,” Rosli said.
The operation was supported by 17 Volunteer Fire Brigades (PBS), the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), and the Civil Defence Force (APM), who successfully contained the fire.
Local business owners reported extensive property damage, with one car painting shop operator estimating losses at RM1 million after several vehicles, including a Mercedes-Benz and a BMW, were destroyed in the fire.
Authorities noted that the cause of the incident and the full extent of the financial losses remain under investigation.
Founded in the 19th century by Fujian immigrants of the Chew clan, the waterfront settlement is the largest Chinese clan jetty in Penang and forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage site in George Town. -MalayaDailyToday
