Factory owner suffers first-degree burns trying to fight blaze that destroys 80pc of Butterworth premises

On August 29, a 58-year-old factory owner sustained first-degree burns to his hands and neck after attempting to extinguish a fire that ravaged approximately 80% of his fabric-processing facility in Jalan Bagan Ajam, Butterworth. According to Berita Harian, the individual's injuries received initial medical attention before being transported to a nearby hospital for further care.

The Penang Fire and Rescue Department's Fire and Rescue Operations Division received an emergency call at 6:09 PM and dispatched a team to the scene. Assistant Director John Sagun Francis explained that the incident involved a semi-permanent factory producing fabric for sofa upholstery. The blaze also inflicted significant damage, reducing two motorcycles by around 50%, and causing severe harm to a four-tonne lorry and a forklift, each suffering about 90% destruction.

The fire was successfully brought under control at 6:28 PM, with additional assistance from nearby volunteer fire brigades and a private company's excavator. The firefighting efforts required nearly 10 hours to completely extinguish the blaze, which was accomplished by 4:35 AM. Following the fire's suppression, overhaul work was conducted to ensure no further hazards remained. The operation concluded at 6:59 AM, and the case was subsequently handed over to the Fire Investigation Division for further examination.