Penang: The Penang Fire and Rescue Department is conducting continuous monitoring at the fire area at Penang Botanical Gardens here to ensure there are no remaining flames or embers that could potentially spark a repeat fire, following the fire that occurred yesterday evening.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, State Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director Mohamad Shoki Hamzah stated that although the fire had been extinguished, monitoring through the use of drones and regular observations by firefighters would continue. 'This monitoring is important to ensure that if a fire occurs again, extinguishing operations can be carried out immediately," he said. He added that the monitoring is not limited to the fire area but extends to the entire forest on Bukit Bendera, as the location is one of the 28 forest fire hotspots in Penang.

The fire, which began at 6.20 pm yesterday, was brought under control by 9.30 pm and completely extinguished by 10.50 pm. The eight-hectare firefighting operation was divided into three sectors to efficiently tackle the blaze. Since the incident, the burned area has been confirmed to cover about eight hectares out of the total 91 hectares of the Island Forest Reserve on Bukit Bendera. A fire control centre has been set up at the location to coordinate swift extinguishing operations.

Meanwhile, Bukit Bendera Cable Car Project director Muhammad Rizal Muhammad Samadi assured that the fire area did not affect the project's cable line, though it was located not far from the construction area. He emphasized that his department is also conducting continuous monitoring to ensure safety and smooth progress of the project.