HOT SPELL IN MALAYSIA CASTS ITS MARK ON CEMETERY

GEORGE TOWN, Penang, Malaysia -  The dry spell has not “spared” even those who have passed on.

Thick smoke billowing from a bush fire that broke out at a cemetery in Batu Lanchang could even be seen kilometers away.

The hot weather and wind conditions caused the fire to spread rapidly, covering an area of 4.05ha within the cemetery grounds.

A Perak Road fire and rescue department spokesman said that the department received a call at 12.49pm and a team of eight firefighters from the station reached the place at about 1pm.

He said that the firemen were also assisted by a voluntary fire fighting squad from Paya Terubong.

“The fire was successfully put out using water and fire beaters at about 4.30pm,” he said when contacted yesterday, adding that there were no casualties in the incident.

He said that the cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it is believed that it could have been caused by irresponsible people who set fire to kill the weeds.

“The current dry spell and wind conditions had caused the fire to spread,” the spokesman said.

Curious motorists also slowed down along Lorong Batu Lanchang, causing traffic congestion there.

Source: The Star