Four warehouses razed in massive blaze near Penang airport

GEORGE TOWN: Four warehouses in Bayan Lepas were razed in a massive fire near the Penang International Airport (PIA) near here.

Penang Fire and Rescue Department director Saadon Mokhtar said they received a distress call at 10.50pm.

He said 40 firemen from four stations – Bayan Batu, Jalan Perak, Paya Terubong and Balik Pulau – were deployed to the scene.

"Four fire engines were deployed and the fire was placed under control at 12.10am," he told reporters at the scene.

Saadon said about 15 voluntary fire fighter teams also rushed to the scene to assist.

He said the four warehouses were used for scrap metal, processed food, furniture and electrical respectively and that the fire affected approximately 60,000 sq ft of warehouse space.

Saadon said the fire is believed to have started from the scrap metal warehouse, which was completely destroyed in the fire while the three other warehouses suffered heavy damage.

He added that they had some water pressure problems when the Department began fighting the fire.

"There was not enough water supply because all (four) fire engines were using the same source, but we eventually solved the problem.

Saadon also said that the nearby PIA was not affected and the airport's fire team stood on standby as the blaze raged.

He added that the Department's fire forensic team was investigating the cause of the fire.

"The total losses have yet to be ascertained," he said.

Meanwhile, PIA senior manager Ramzi Ahmad said airport operations were not affected even though the fire broke out near the airport's fence.