A midnight blaze destroyed five commercial premises along Pengkalan Weld in George Town on Sept 5, narrowly missing the historic Chew Jetty located less than 20 meters away, according to local emergency reports. According to the Penang Fire and Rescue Department, the fire broke out at approximately 1.00am, damaging an automobile and furniture workshop, a printing shop, and a scrap shop, alongside four vehicles. No casualties were reported during the incident.
Emergency Response and Deployment Scale
Emergency services received the initial distress call at 1.08am, and firefighters arrived at the scene within three minutes, according to operations officers. The Penang Fire and Rescue Department mobilized 25 officers across three official stations—including Paya Terubong, Jalan Perak, and Lebuh Pantai—while response efforts saw heavy participation from 143 volunteer firefighters spanning 18 brigades, with some traveling from Valdor on the mainland, as reported by The Star. Additional assistance at the site was provided by Malaysian Civil Defence Force personnel and police.
Firefighting operations proved complex, requiring crews to tackle active hotspots hidden beneath heavy timber stacks at a damaged furniture workshop past 10.30am. Heavy machinery was brought to the site at midday to clear debris. Field reports indicated that at least five fire engines were deployed by voluntary fire squads, alongside photographer Allen Lim’s use of a drone to capture footage showing voluntary firemen wading through low-tide mudflats to reach buildings from the sea and inspect for stranded individuals.
Did you know? Chew Jetty is the largest of Penang’s historic Chinese clan jetties. Built on stilts above the sea, the 19th-century waterfront settlement sits squarely within a designated Unesco World Heritage Site.
Property Damage and Business Losses
The fire left several long-standing local business owners facing severe property destruction. Victim Toh Aik Aun, 50, stated that the blaze destroyed the T-shirt printing business he had operated for roughly 30 years, burning hundreds of customer garments stored on site, according to Bernama. Another business owner, Hong Jing Lian, 60, reported that his car painting shop—open since 1997—was completely destroyed with losses estimated at RM1 million. Among the automobiles destroyed in the blaze, Hong mentioned a Mercedes-Benz C-Class, a Suzuki Swift, and a BMW.
According to Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, the affected commercial premises were operating under Temporary Occupation Licences or land rental arrangements with Chief Minister Incorporated. During a site visit alongside state executive councillor Lim Siew Khim, Tanjong MP Lim Hui Ying, and Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng, Chow confirmed that Chew Jetty remained completely unscathed. He stated that the state government plans to assist affected operators during the rebuilding process once formal discussions take place.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Chew Jetty area fire occur?
The fire broke out early in the morning on Sept 5, with emergency services receiving the distress call at 1.08am.
Were there any injuries reported?
According to the Penang Fire and Rescue Department, no casualties were reported from the midnight blaze.
Which historic landmark was threatened by the fire?
The fire occurred less than 20 meters away from Chew Jetty, a historic 19th-century Chinese clan jetty settlement located within George Town’s Unesco World Heritage Site, which ultimately remained completely unharmed.
What businesses were damaged in the incident?
Five commercial premises were destroyed, including an automobile and furniture workshop, a printing shop, and a scrap shop.
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