Penang: Former prominent lawyer, Datuk San Markan Ganapathi, was among two killed in a shophouse fire at a legal office in Lebuh King here today.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Penang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director Mohamad Shoki Hamzah stated that the victim, 88, was found dead by firefighters at 1.05 pm, seated on a chair beside a window in the office on the second floor of the building. The second victim, identified as clerk B.J. Chandra, 66, was discovered at 3.26 pm near a wall beneath a pile of files.
The fire involved an office building that housed two legal firms. However, only the second floor was operational at the time of the incident, as the ground floor was closed due to a case in Perak. Initial information suggests that three workers were present on the upper floor during the fire. One worker survived, while the other two are believed to have succumbed to smoke inhalation after being trapped, pending forensic confirmation.
Mohamad Shoki reported that the department received an emergency call at 12.14 pm. In response, 17 personnel from the Jalan Perak and Lebuh Pantai fire stations were deployed, with assistance from volunteer fire brigades in Bukit Bendera and Seri Tanjung. The team faced challenges reaching the location due to heavy traffic.
The cause of the fire remains unidentified and is under investigation. Mohamad Shoki noted that the building is old and structurally fragile, and by the time firefighters arrived, about 70 per cent of the premises had been engulfed in flames. The bodies were subsequently handed over to the police and taken to Penang Hospital.
Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister and Tanjong MP Lim Hui Ying, alongside Jelutong MP R. S. N. Rayer, were present at the scene, consoling the victims' family members. Rayer mentioned that San Markan had visited the legal firm to meet a lawyer regarding a personal matter as a client. He added that San Markan was a respected lawyer and a long-time acquaintance of his family, noting that he had not actively practised law for about five years and was serving as a notary public.
Lim said San Markan was a close acquaintance of her father, Lim Kit Siang, and they had met earlier this year during the lawyer's 88th birthday celebration.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow expressed condolences to the families of the victims, affirming that he takes the incident seriously and will cooperate with relevant agencies to ensure a thorough investigation. Measures to improve fire safety in old buildings and high-risk areas will be considered, emphasizing the importance of functional safety systems, clear emergency exits, and regular drills.