KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 — A 58-year-old factory owner suffered first-degree burns to his hands and neck while trying to put out a fire that destroyed about 80 per cent of his fabric-processing premises in Jalan Bagan Ajam, Butterworth, yesterday evening.
Berita Harian reported that the man was injured while attempting to tackle the blaze before being given initial treatment by Health Ministry personnel and taken to a nearby hospital for further treatment.
Penang Fire and Rescue Department Fire and Rescue Operations Division assistant director John Sagun Francis said the department received an emergency call at 6.09pm.
“The fire involved a semi-permanent factory that processes fabric for use in sofas.
“The blaze also damaged two motorcycles by about 50 per cent each, while a four-tonne lorry and a forklift were each about 90 per cent damaged.
“The fire was brought under control at 6.28pm, with firefighting efforts also assisted by nearby volunteer fire brigades and an excavator belonging to a private company,” he said in a statement today.
John said firefighters took nearly 10 hours to extinguish the blaze completely.
“The fire was fully extinguished at 4.35am today, after which overhaul work was carried out to ensure there were no other hazards,” he said.
The operation ended at 6.59am before the case was handed over to the Fire Investigation Division for further action.
A total of 26 personnel, including station chiefs, from the Butterworth, Penanti, Kepala Batas, Jalan Perak, Bandar Perda, Bertam and Perai fire and rescue stations were involved in the operation.
