Penang’s Chung Ling high school classroom catches fire, no casualties but 20pc damaged

Fire damaged a classroom at the Chung Ling High School in Ayer Itam, Penang on September 21, 2026 evening and was extinguished within an hour, with no casualties reported. — Composite image from the Penang Fire and Rescue Department via Bernama on X

By Malay Mail

First Published: Tuesday, 22 Sep 2026 9:59 AM MYT

GEORGE TOWN, Sept 22 — A classroom at SMK(C) Chung Ling in Ayer Itam here caught fire last night, with no casualties reported.

The Penang Fire and Rescue Department said 12 personnel and three fire engines from the Paya Terubong and Lebuh Pantai fire and rescue stations were sent to the school after an emergency call was received at 7.54pm.

“The fire involved a classroom measuring about 20 by 30 square feet, with an estimated 20 per cent damage,” its operations division assistant director John Sagun Francis was quoted as saying by national news agency Bernama today.

He said there were no school activities taking place when the fire broke out and no casualties were reported.

The fire was fully extinguished at 8.40pm, after which firefighters carried out further checks to ensure there were no other hazards at the scene.

John said the operation ended at 9.22pm and the case was handed over to the Fire Investigation Team for further action.

He said the cause of the fire and the extent of losses are still under investigation. — Bernama