Major fire destroys 5 businesses near Penang clan jetties
Sign up now: Get insights on the biggest stories in Malaysia
A recycling centre was engulfed by the fire, with explosions heard repeatedly as the flames spread to a nearby automobile service centre.
PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
- A fire destroyed five businesses near Penang's historic Chew Jetty at 1am on Sept 5, with no casualties reported and damage to shops and vehicles.
- Firefighters from multiple stations and volunteer squads controlled the blaze by 2.03am, continuing efforts into the next day to clear debris and extinguish hot spots.
- Penang's Chief Minister confirmed Chew Jetty was unharmed and pledged government support for affected businesses during rebuilding after an official investigation.
AI generated
GEORGE TOWN – A midnight blaze destroyed five commercial premises on Pengkalan Weld, a coastal area in Penang, early on Sept 5, narrowly missing the historic Chew Jetty located less than 20m away.
No casualties were reported.
The fire broke out at around 1am near the coastal settlement, damaging an automobile and furniture workshop, a printing shop and a scrap shop, along with four vehicles.
Penang Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations John Sagun Francis said that emergency services received the distress call at 1.08am. Firefighters arrived within three minutes, bringing the blaze under control by 2.03am.
The emergency operation brought together 25 officers from three official fire stations and 143 volunteer firefighters across 18 brigades, with some travelling from as far as Valdor on the mainland.
Firefighting efforts continued past 10.30am at a damaged furniture workshop, where heavy timber stacks concealed active hot spots beneath the rubble. Heavy machinery was brought to the site at midday to clear the debris.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow confirmed during a site visit that Chew Jetty – one of George Town’s primary heritage tourism sites featuring traditional wooden stilt houses – remained entirely unscathed.
“We are thankful that the fire did not result in any casualties,” he said.
Chow praised the rapid deployment of emergency personnel and said the state government will assist affected business owners during the rebuilding process, pending the outcome of an official investigation into the cause of the fire.
Fire alerts caused a flurry of action among voluntary fire squads, with at least five squads from the island and mainland deploying their fire engines.
It was earlier reported that low water pressure at the scene hampered firefighting efforts.
Repeated explosions from the fire, which occurred close to a petrol station and clan jetties, also woke nearby residents up.
Photographer Allen Lim deployed a drone and captured footage of voluntary firemen wading through mudflats at low tide to access buildings from the sea and check for trapped victims.
Chow said the affected premises were believed to be operating either under temporary occupation licences or land rental arrangements with Chief Minister Incorporated.
“The state government will deal with the matter further after they meet with representatives of the state government, and will provide assistance during the rebuilding process,” he said.
He added that he believed the affected operators intended to rebuild their premises.
Also at the scene were state executive councillor Lim Siew Khim, police personnel, fire and rescue department officers, volunteer firefighters and members of the Rural and Community Management Council.
Tanjung MP Lim Hui Ying and Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng had earlier visited the scene. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
