Early morning fire ravages iconic Kek Lok Si Temple

GEORGE TOWN – A fire broke out at the sprawling 130-year-old Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam in the predawn hours today, razing many furnishings on the premises.

The blaze started in a room undergoing renovation about 3am today, and squadrons were deployed from the state Fire and Rescue Department, including volunteer units from Air Itam.

They managed to bring the fire under control in two hours but by then, the blaze had burnt through many furnishings in the complex.

Paya Terubong Fire and Rescue station chief Mohd Shakir Abdullah said they received an emergency call from the public at 2.56am this morning.

He said six members from the station, with the help of nine members from the Jalan Perak fire station, were deployed.

However, Shakir said, they faced difficulties extinguishing the fire due to the hill location of the temple.

“Our machinery has a height of up to 5m, but the gate at the temple is only 4m high.

“So, we had to put the machinery aside and walk up to 600m to get to the scene. Apart from that, we also faced difficulties obtaining water sources,” he told The Vibes.

Shakir said that, at the time of the incident, there were four temple guards at the scene, but no injuries were reported.

He added that 70% of the prayer room in Kek Lok Si was on fire and it is believed that this is the first fire incident involving the historic temple.

“The fire was brought under control at 5.30am and the cause of the incident is still under investigation. We hope that after this, the management of the temple can improve the emergency facilities there.”

Meanwhile, a survey at the temple found that business, learning and prayer activities are being carried out as usual.

The management has, however, closed off the affected area and declined to comment on the incident.

Kek Lok Si Temple, a popular landmark on Penang island, is one of the region’s most famous temples.

It is nested near the Penang Hill range and, over the years, has expanded due to strong attendance of worshippers and tourists alike.

The fire comes just as Penang is reopening its tourism attractions after the National Security Council announced it would allow interstate travel on Monday. – The Vibes, October 12, 2021

Additional reporting by Sofia Nasir