GEORGE TOWN: The Fire and Rescue Department has found no signs of foul play in the fire which destroyed four warehouses near the air cargo complex in Batu Maung here yesterday.
The department’s director, Saadon Mokhtar, told NST that the investigation was ongoing to ascertain the cause of the fire.
“We are looking at various angles, but we have not found anything that suggests possible foul play for now.
“The investigation is expected to take some time before we can determine the cause of the fire and the losses incurred.”
Firefighters took more than four hours to put out the fire in the 10.50pm incident.
The warehouses had housed items such as recycling materials, food, furniture and electrical products.
Saadon said initial investigations showed that the fire had started at the recycling warehouse and spread to the other three warehouses.
Witness Muhd Aiman Mohd Rashid, 18, said he was going to a cyber cafe when he saw a bright light.
“I was riding the motorcycle on my way to the cyber cafe, before I changed direction and headed to the scene.
“When I got there, I heard several loud explosions and saw several men running helter-skelter to save themselves. It was very chaotic and the fire became more and more intense.
“I almost fainted from the heat. Thankfully, my friend arrived shortly after that and brought a bottle of drink. We then left the area,” he added.
No casualties were reported. Photos and video footage of the raging fire were posted on social media almost immediately as some Netizens feared that the air cargo complex would be affected.
However, Penang International Airport officials clarified that the airport’s operations were not affected.