BUKIT MERTAJAM: Firefighters took more than 10 hours to extinguish a rubbish-dump blaze at a recycling plant in the Permatang Tinggi Industrial Area on Thursday (April 23).
Penang Fire and Rescue Department deputy fire operations director John Sagun Francis said they received the emergency call at 1.54pm, and the first crew from Bukit Mertajam fire station rushed to the scene.
"Upon arrival, the team found the fire engulfing a pile of paper waste and cardboard in an open factory area spanning an estimated 3,716.12 square metres.
"The fire was brought under control at 3.36 pm and extinguished 10 minutes later, but operations only wrapped up at 12.04 am today after overhaul work confirmed no hot spots remained," he said in a statement on Friday (April 24).
He said the fire caused about 80% damage, but there were no worker injuries or fatalities at the plant.
The operation also received support from the Sungai Bakap, Batu Kawan, and Bandar Perda fire stations, 11 volunteer fire brigades and an excavator to break up the burning waste piles. – Bernama
