GEORGE TOWN: A midnight blaze destroyed five commercial premises along Jalan Pengkalan Weld early Saturday (Sept 5), narrowly missing the historic Chew Jetty located less than 20 meters away.
No casualties were reported.
The fire broke out around 1.00am near the coastal settlement, damaging an automobile and furniture workshop, a printing shop and a scrap shop, along with four vehicles.
Penang Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations John Sagun Francis stated that emergency services received the distress call at 1.08am. Firefighters arrived within three minutes, bringing the blaze under control by 2.03am.
The emergency operation brought together 25 officers from three official fire stations and 143 volunteer firefighters across 18 brigades, with some travelling from as far as Valdor on the mainland.
Firefighting efforts continued past 10.30am at a damaged furniture workshop, where heavy timber stacks concealed active hotspots beneath the rubble. Heavy machinery was brought to the site at midday to clear the debris.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow confirmed during a site visit that Chew Jetty—one of George Town’s primary heritage tourism sites featuring traditional wooden stilt houses—remained entirely unscathed.
“We are thankful that the fire did not result in any casualties,” he said
Chow praised the rapid deployment of emergency personnel. He added that the state government will assist affected business owners during the rebuilding process, pending the outcome of an official investigation into the cause of the fire.
Chow also said the premises were believed to be operating either under Temporary Occupation Licences or land rental arrangements with Chief Minister Incorporated.
“The state government will deal with the matter further after they meet with representatives of the state government, and will provide assistance during the rebuilding process,” he said.
Chow said he believed the affected operators intended to rebuild their premises.
Also at the scene were state executive councillor Lim Siew Khim, police personnel, Fire and Rescue Department officers, volunteer firefighters and members of the Rural and Community Management Council.
Tanjong MP Lim Hui Ying and Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng had earlier visited the scene.
