Forest fire rages on Bukit Bendera, visible from 5km distance

GEORGE TOWN: A forested area on top of a hill next to Bukit Bendera here is ablaze and thick smoke can be seen from five kilometres away.

Penang Fire and Rescue Department director Azmi Tamat said the department was alerted about the fire at 8am Wednesday.

"A team rushed to the scene but faced difficulties because there is no path to the burning area. They found the site, guided by smoke emitted by the fire.

"The firemen were also forced to bring along water and are using backpack sprayers to combat the fire," he told Bernama.

He said so far, 20 firemen were fighting hard to put out the fire and the number was expected to increase in the evening.

"We have brought the fire under control, so far. A total two hectares of forest have been razed by the fire," he said.

Azmi said the department would seek the aid Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency's Bombardier aircraft if the fire went out of control.

The fire did not endanger the public as it was far away from housing areas at Bukit Bendera, he added. - Bernama