Fire destroys two houses in Penang

Two families lost their homes when a fire broke out yesterday afternoon at Sungai Nibong Tengah in Bayan Baru.

No casualties were reported due to the fire, which might have been caused by a faulty electrical wiring.

“The fire was put under control within 20 minutes. The cause of the fire is still under investigation,” said Arisuddin Atis, the head fireman who attended to the scene.

Two squatter families who are related to each other occupied the houses. All the members except for an elderly man were out at work when the incident happened. The man had shouted for help, alarming his neighbors ten minutes after the fire broke out.

Four fire engines arrived at the scene, but only one could make its way through the squatter area.

The fire had already razed the whole house leaving behind only some walls by the time the fire engine arrived.

The total amount of loss is not known yet.

“I saw smoke coming out of his house and immediately dialled 999,” said Mohd Rashid Hasnon, a representative of Pantai Jerejak state assemblyman Sim Tze Tzin.

Sim will be presenting RM1500 to the two families today.

“I will also initiate the volunteer fire-fighting team with Arisuddin today,” commented Sim, indicating a need for more volunteer services in the community.

According to Chan Kim Beng from the Residents’Association of Bayan Baru, several notable people were present at the scene.

This includes Wong Mun Hoe, the BN coordinator for Pantai Jerejak, together with Tan Lai Theng and K.Sathiaselan; both chairman of the Bayan Baru division of MCA and MIC respectively.

Independent MP for Bayan Baru, Zahrain Mohd Hashim, will visit the site tomorrow morning.