Man hurt fleeing George Town EV battery storage blaze, firefighters bring flames under control

GEORGE TOWN - A 31-year-old man, Eugene Chow Hao Jie, suffered injuries while fleeing from an electric vehicle (EV) battery storage facility that caught fire yesterday in Jalan Jelutong. Penang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) assistant director John Sagun Francis revealed that the victim was initially treated by the department's Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) team before being transported to Penang Hospital for additional care.

An emergency call was received at 3.42pm, prompting a swift response from firefighters. Upon arrival at the scene, they encountered a blaze affecting approximately 10 square feet of the storage facility. The fire was completely doused by 4.10pm, following which the firefighters carried out an inspection and overhaul to ensure no hazardous conditions lingered.

A total of 14 firefighters from the Jalan Perak, Lebuh Pantai, and Paya Terubong fire stations participated in the operation, with support from the Mount Erskine and Lebuh Lebuhraya Volunteer Fire Brigades and the police. The firefighting effort concluded at 5.57pm, and the matter was handed over to the fire investigation team for a comprehensive examination.