Penang ferry catches fire

GEORGETOWN: The rear compartment of a Pulau Payar ferry caught fire during rush hour today after it left the Weld Quay terminal for the Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal in Butterworth.
The incident happened at about 10am and caused chaos among passengers on the ferry.
According to a source from Penang Port Sdn Bhd who declined to be named, the ferry immediately turned back to Weld Quay after thick black smoke was seen billowing out from its rear section.
"No one was hurt in the incident," he said.
State public works, utilities and transportation committee chairman Lim Hock Seng, said he contacted Penang Port over the matter and was told that the fire could have been caused by a problem with the ferry's engine.
"However, it is not critical issue. The Puau Payar ferry is now being replaced by a Pulau Talang ferry.
"There will be four ferries operating as usual," he said.