GEORGE TOWN: A senior citizen went through a terrifying ordeal when a fire broke out at her neighbour's wooden house in Jalan Kampung Jelutong here.
Fearing that the flames would spread to her home and others in the densely populated neighbourhood, she suffered an anxiety attack and struggled to breathe.
Bystanders quickly stepped in to help her while firefighters battled the blaze, which started at around 9.15am on Sunday (Feb 16).
A dog also suffered minor burns in the incident, the Fire and Rescue Department said in a statement, adding that the house was severely damaged.
"The wooden house suffered 90% damage, and the fire spread to an adjacent house, causing minor damage.
"A total of 18 firefighters were dispatched to the scene," it said.
Penang social development and welfare committee chairman Lim Siew Khim, who is also Sungai Pinang assemblyman, was at the scene.
She said the senior citizen, who is in her 60s, was taken to Penang Hospital for treatment, and that arrangements would be made for assistance to be provided to the fire victims.
