Penang’s Chew Jetty spared after neighbouring shophouses, temple catch fire

 

The Penang Fire and Rescue Department says Chew Jetty was untouched despite strong winds fanning the flames at two shophouses and a temple nearby.

GEORGE TOWN: Swift action by firefighters helped save dozens of homes located at the Chew Jetty here after a fire broke out in two shophouses and a temple adjacent to the traditional settlement this morning.

State Fire and Rescue Department Zone 1 chief Mohd Tarmizi Md Jaafar said Chew Jetty was merely 6m away from the site of the fire.

“We deployed fire brigades from our stations at Lebuh Pantai, Paya Terubong and Jalan Perak after we received a call at 8.51am.

“The morning rush hour caused some delay for our vehicles to reach the site. Also, when we got there, there were strong winds fanning the flames.

“However, we managed to put out the fire by 9.15am,” he said, adding that there were no casualties.

The Chew Jetty is one of the oldest examples of Chinese settlements in Malaysia and is popular as a tourist attraction, especially since George Town was listed by Unesco as a World Heritage Site in 2008.

Tarmizi said the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage were being ascertained.

A spokesman for the department said the site was being monitored to ensure the fire had been completely extinguished.

He said the fire had caused about 40% damage to the two shophouses. - FMT