Fire breaks out at Pulau Burung landfill in Penang, 40pc still burning in one sector (VIDEO)

NIBONG TEBAL: Firefighters fought a trash inferno at the Pulau Burung waste disposal facility early this morning. The Penang Fire and Rescue Department's John Sagun Francis relayed that they were alerted at 11.36pm the previous night and promptly dispatched to the location. He revealed that the flames engulfed a roughly 120ft by 90ft segment of the landfill.

Firefighters labored to quell the flames and thwart their spread. The inferno was subdued by 12.30am and completely snuffed out around 5am. Ongoing mop-up operations, accounting for the remaining 10 percent, are underway to ensure the blaze is entirely extinguished, Francis reported today. A total of 17 personnel from the Nibong Tebal, Sungai Bakap, Bandar Perda and Kepala Batas fire stations contributed to the operation.

They utilized firebeaters and jet shooters, while firebreaks were established to impede the blaze from engulfing surrounding areas. Assistance was provided by the Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP), police, and volunteer fire brigades from adjacent locales. No injuries were recorded. The operation remained active at 8am. Pulau Burung landfill has experienced several solid waste fires, exacerbated by sweltering weather conditions.

A significant incident occurred early last month, when firefighters brought a waste fire under control after a grueling four-hour operation involving multiple stations, volunteer units, and heavy machinery.