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GEORGE TOWN – The Penang Fire and Rescue Department took over 14 hours to completely put out a fire that destroyed five business premises near the iconic Chew Jetty here today.
Penang Fire and Rescue Department operations and firefighting division assistant director John Sagun Francis said they received a call about the fire at 1.08am.
"The fire was put out at 6.20am and firefighters continued with inspections and overhaul work to ensure there was no danger or embers that could spark another fire.
"Overhaul work was completed at 5pm and five business premises were burned, along with a Honda City, Mercedes Benz, BMW and Suzuki Swift," he said in a statement today.
A total of 25 firefighters assisted by 18 volunteer firefighters, police and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) personnel were involved in putting out the fire.
Chew Jetty is one of several Chinese clan settlements built on stilts over the water at Pengkalan Weld, with roots dating back to the nineteenth century when Chinese immigrants, mostly dock workers, settled along the George Town waterfront.
It forms part of George Town's Unesco World Heritage Site, inscribed in 2008 and remains one of the city's most visited heritage attractions, drawing tourists to its wooden boardwalks, stilt houses and waterfront shops. – BERNAMA
