Metal‑cutting caused former Odeon Cinema blaze in Penang that killed Myanmar worker, probe finds

GEORGE TOWN, June 9 — A fire that destroyed an entertainment centre in the former Odeon Cinema building on Jalan Penang here on May 30, killing a Myanmar national, is believed to have been caused by metal cutting work using oxy-acetylene equipment.

Penang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director Mohamad Shoki Hamzah said forensic investigations found the fire was accidentally triggered during renovation works at the premises.

“CCTV footage showed two of the three workers carrying out metal cutting work using an oxy-cutter set before hot molten metal residue fell onto combustible materials below and ignited a fire.

“Investigations also found that the fire originated on the ground floor at the rear section of the premises, based on the account of a surviving witness,” he told Bernama today.

Mohamad Shoki said inspections by the department’s K9 Detection Unit found no traces of fire accelerants at the scene.

He said the fire involved a two-storey heritage building with a floor area of about 900 square metres, adding that the value of the property and losses incurred were still being assessed.

In the incident, firefighters received an emergency call at 8.50 pm on May 30. The body of construction worker Mohamad Boshi Sabi Ullah, 56, was found on the ground floor near the building’s front entrance with first-degree burn injuries.

Timur Laut deputy police chief Supt Lee Swee Sake previously said the case had been classified as a sudden death report, with investigations finding no elements of foul play.

A post-mortem examination determined that the victim died from smoke inhalation. — Bernama