BUTTERWORTH: The Penang Fire and Rescue Department has sent several samples from the fire that killed a prominent lawyer and his clerk to a specialised facility in Shah Alam for detailed analysis, said Fire and Rescue Department deputy director-general (operations) Datuk Ahmad Izram Osman.
Ahmad Izram said the samples, including those for forensic analysis, were sent to the Fire Investigation Vehicle and Electrical Lab (FivEL) a day after the incident to determine the cause of the fire.
"So far, the cause of the fire has yet to be confirmed. Several samples were collected and sent to the laboratory a day after the incident, and the results are expected within 1 to 14 days.
"For cases involving a possible electrical origin, samples are sent to the FivEL laboratory in Shah Alam, Selangor, which specialises in the analysis of fires related to electrical wiring systems and equipment. We need to obtain precise confirmation before announcing any cause, as it also involves other agencies such as the Energy Commission and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB)," he told reporters here on Thursday (April 16).
He was met after officiating the 2025 Excellent Service Award (APC) ceremony for the Penang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM). Also present was state JBPM director Mohamad Shoki Hamzah.
A total of 67 fire officers and personnel received the APC at the ceremony.
In the incident on Monday (April 13) afternoon, Datuk San Markan Ganapathi, 88, and his clerk, Chandra Binwani Jiwatram, 60, were trapped inside a legal firm along Lebuh King.
San Markan was found seated on a chair near a window at 1.05pm, while Chandra was later discovered at 3.32pm near a wall beneath a pile of files.
Ahmad Izram has urged building owners, particularly those managing heritage and pre-war structures in Penang, to reassess their fire safety measures.
He said that many older buildings were not constructed in accordance with the Uniform Building By-Laws 1984, and often feature timber structures and ageing electrical wiring systems that pose a high fire risk.
"I have instructed the Penang Fire and Rescue Department director to engage with heritage building owners’ associations in the state to address this issue.
"At the same time, we will carry out periodic inspections of heritage buildings to ensure compliance with established safety standards," he added.
