Probe on penthouse fire

THE STAR 19/05/2004

PENANG: The state government will investigate the fire which gutted two Pearl View penthouses at Pearl Hill, Jalan Tanjung Bungah. causing some RM4mil in damages yesterday.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the probe, which would be carried by a task force comprising exco members Datuk Koay Kar Huah, Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan and Syed Amerrudin Syed among others, would look into improving the emergency response time to high-rise fires.

"There is a need to ensure our fire department is capable of fighting high-rise fires as there are many such buildings in the state.

"The Local Government and Housing Ministry should ensure the department has the latest fire-fighting equipment.

"Building managements and resident associations should also do their part to ensure that fire-fighting facilities are in proper working condition," he said at the scene.

The fire started from one of two penthouses located on the 12th floor at 8am.

It spread quickly to the other penthouse after attempts to put it out by the tenant failed.

Seven engines, including two from the Air ltam and Paya Terubong fire volunteer squads, with about 80 firemen, could not do anything as the water hoses could not reach the 12th floor.

A Morita skylift, capable of reaching the 14th floor, had to be called in.

Zazali MdTahir, 28, who worked as a driver, said he received a telephone call from his 43~year-old female employer informing, him that there was a small fire in one of the penthouse's six bedrooms.

"When I reach the premises, l saw that one of air conditioners had caught fire. I ran to the toilet and filled a pail with water, which I then used to splash on the air conditioner.

"There was an explosion and the whole room was filled with smoke.

"1 rushed my employer out of the premises before calling the fire department," he said.

Zazali's employer was the only person in the house as her British husband was in Singapore on a business trip.

Dr Koh said Penang Water Supply Corporation Sdn Bhd told him that water pressure in the area was normal.

''The pressure was apparently good enough for household use but not for fire-fighting. I then directed that the water valves be isolated and extra water be pumped into the area.

''The quick action of the firemen prevented the blaze from spreading to the other units below. The fire was brought under control by 9.50am and extinguished, about an hour later," he said.