Firefighters extinguished an eight-hectare blaze at Penang Botanical Gardens, using aerial drones and ground crews to prevent its spread
GEORGE TOWN: A forest fire at the Penang Botanical Gardens has been fully extinguished.
The blaze, which broke out along Jalan Kebun Bunga, was brought under control by 9.30 pm yesterday and completely put out by 10.50 pm.
Penang Fire and Rescue Department deputy director of operations John Sagun Francis said firefighters are still monitoring the affected areas today.
The eight-hectare firefighting operation was divided into three sectors for management.
“As of this morning, the overhaul works are being carried out in sector C to extinguish the remaining 10% of the blaze,” he said in a statement.
Firefighters employed multiple techniques including ‘firebeater’, ‘jet shooter’ and the ‘fire break’ method to contain the flames.
Aerial monitoring was conducted using drones to prevent the fire from spreading to other areas.
A total of 31 firefighters were deployed for the operation starting at 6.20 pm yesterday.
They were assisted by six volunteer firefighters, the police, the Civil Defence Force and the Penang City Council (MBPP).
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.