Ferry under maintenance catches fire

BUTTERWORTH: A ferry under maintenance at Penang Port in Jalan Bagan Dalam, Butterworth here caught fire at its lower deck in the engine compartment at about 10.30am Sunday.

A Fire and Rescue spokesman said the fire occurred in a 19 sq m space causing smoke to billow from the compartment.

"The Fire and Rescue Department had to use Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV) equipment to suck smoke from the confined area," he said.

He said several firemen put out the blaze after entering the compartment wearing special oxygen masks.

"Firemen from the Butterworth station and eight crew members of Penang Port extinguished the flames using foam at about 11.53 am," he added.

Meanwhile, state Fire and Rescue Department deputy director, Mohamad Shoki Hamzah confirmed the incident and said there were no casualties.

"Only 30% of the lower deck was razed. The total losses and cause of fire are still under investigation," he said. - Bernama