A midnight blaze destroyed five commercial premises on Pengkalan Weld in George Town, Penang, early on September 5, narrowly missing the historic Chew Jetty located less than 20 meters away, according to the Penang Fire and Rescue Department. No casualties were reported from the incident, which damaged an automobile and furniture workshop, a printing shop, a scrap shop, and four vehicles near the coastal heritage settlement.
Emergency Response and Deployment
The Penang Fire and Rescue Department received the distress call at 1.08 am, according to assistant director of operations John Sagun Francis. Firefighters arrived at the scene within three minutes and brought the flames under control by 2.03 am. The emergency operation drew 25 officers from three official fire stations alongside 143 volunteer firefighters spanning 18 brigades, with some units traveling from as far away as Valdor on the mainland, as reported by The Straits Times.
Firefighting efforts extended past 10.30 am at the damaged furniture workshop. Heavy timber stacks had concealed active hotspots beneath the rubble, requiring heavy machinery to arrive at midday for debris clearance. As reported by The Straits Times, aerial footage was shot by photographer Allen Lim using a drone to document volunteer firefighters crossing mudflats during low tide to reach buildings from the seaside and inspect for any trapped individuals.
Status of the Chew Jetty Heritage Site
During an inspection of the location, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow verified that Chew Jetty—a key George Town heritage tourism landmark comprising classic wooden stilt dwellings—was left completely untouched by the fire. Chow expressed gratitude that the fire caused no injuries and praised the rapid deployment of emergency personnel during the early morning hours, according to The Star.
Chow noted that the destroyed premises were operating either under temporary occupation licences or land rental arrangements with Chief Minister Incorporated.
On-Site Officials and Community Presence
Several local leaders joined Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at the disaster site to assess the damage and coordinate relief. Morning inspections were attended by state executive councillor Lim Siew Khim, alongside 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 also visited the scene earlier in the day, according to The Star.
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