TELUK INTAN: A birthday celebration turned disastrous when a fireworks display ignited a blaze at Arena Square Hall in Jalan Raja here.
Hilir Perak police chief Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Adnan Basri said police were alerted to the incident on Sunday at 11.18pm.
He said initial investigations conducted with the forensic team from the district Fire and Rescue Department suggested that the fire may have been caused by sparks from fireworks landing on the hall's roof, resulting in the blaze.
"We found that the fire occurred during a birthday celebration organised by an individual who had rented the venue from the Teluk Intan Municipal Council.
"The event was attended by 500 guests, and the organiser had provided various types of firecrackers and fireworks for guests to use," he said in a statement.
Adnan said further checks revealed that the organiser did not possess a valid licence to use fireworks and firecrackers.
"Following this, police arrested the event organiser yesterday at 3pm and the suspect will be brought to the Teluk Intan magistrate's court here today for a remand application," he said.
Adnan added that the estimated amount of damage was still under investigation.
"We would like to remind the public that the use of firecrackers and fireworks without a licence is a legal offence that poses safety risks.
"As such, the public is advised not to use firecrackers or fireworks without permission to avoid unwanted incidents," he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 436 of the Penal Code for mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy a place, which provides for a prison sentence of up to 20 years and a fine.
The case is also being investigated under Section 8 of the Explosives Act 1957 for possessing, controlling, or using explosives without a licence, which carries a maximum prison sentence of seven years, a fine of up to RM10,000, or both.