Fire destroys three factories in Penang (Updated)

BUTTERWORTH: Three factories manufacturing plastic and glass items was razed in a fire at a industrial area near Taman Pelangi, Juru, near here this morning.
Penang Fire and Rescue Services Department senior operations officer Azman Hussin said the department were alerted to the incident by the public at about 10.58am.
"When the firemen arrived at the scene, the fire was raging and until right now the entire factory is still engulfed in fire but have been put under control," he said in a statement released to the media.
He said so far there were no reports of fatal casualties or injuries in the incident but the fire had destroyed about 80% of the factories.
He added that firemen were still at the scene and the operation to put out the fire was still being carried out.
The fire caused a thick and black smog to hang over mainland Penang where it can be seen from as far as George Town on the island.
The cause of the fire and the amount of losses incurred from the incident were still being investigated.