23 Left Homeless After Four Houses Razed In Tanjung Tokong Fire

GEORGE TOWN, March 3 (Bernama) -- Twenty-three people were left with only the clothes on their backs after four single-storey squatter houses were destroyed in a fire in Tanjung Tokong here early today.

Penang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) assistant director of operations John Sagun Francis said the department received a distress call at 3.14am.

The first engine from the Bagan Jermal Fire and Rescue Station arrived seven minutes later.

“On arrival, firefighters found the blaze engulfing four houses measuring between 55 and 75 square metres, as well as a Honda EX5 motorcycle belonging to one of the occupants.

“The fire was brought under control at 3.42am to prevent it from spreading to nearby homes. It was fully extinguished at about 6am, followed by overhaul works,” he said.

The four houses were occupied by 23 residents - 10 adult men, six adult women and seven children, from Malay and Rohingya families.

All occupants managed to escape safely after realising a fire had broken out, and no injuries were reported.

-- BERNAMA