A foreign national lost his life after a fire broke out at an entertainment premises along Jalan Penang in George Town, Penang, on Saturday night. The incident involved a two-storey establishment located within the Odeon Building, which suffered extensive structural damage following the blaze.
Authorities confirmed that the victim, a 56-year-old Myanmar man identified as Mohamad Boshi Sabi Ullah, was an employee at the premises. He was discovered near the main entrance of the building before being pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel from the Ministry of Health (KKM).
Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Penang director Mohamad Shoki Hamzah said emergency services received a distress call at about 8.50pm. The first fire engine from the Lebuh Pantai Fire and Rescue Station arrived shortly after at 9pm, and firefighting operations were immediately initiated upon arrival.
The affected premises, classified as a Class A entertainment outlet, covered an estimated area of 50 by 300 square feet. Officials reported that approximately 70 per cent of the building was destroyed in the fire, underscoring the severity of the incident.
In a wider safety context, fire incidents involving commercial entertainment venues continue to highlight the importance of strict safety compliance and rapid emergency response coordination. Such events often require multi-agency mobilisation to minimise casualties and prevent further structural collapse.
The victim’s body was later found at around 10.23pm near the front entrance of the premises, with burn injuries classified as first-degree. In a broader observation, emergency responders frequently face challenging conditions in confined commercial spaces where smoke accumulation can severely limit visibility and evacuation efforts.
Firefighting operations were led by an incident commander and supported by multiple stations including Jalan Perak, Bayan Baru and Paya Terubong. Teams implemented the RECEO firefighting concept, dividing operations into four sectors and carrying out both offensive and defensive strategies, alongside ventilation work to clear trapped smoke.
The blaze was fully brought under control by 11.22pm, followed by overhaul procedures to ensure no remaining hotspots. A total of 38 personnel were deployed, supported by logistics assets including LFRT, FRT, EMRS and ALP units. Several agencies, including police, KKM and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), also assisted, alongside volunteer fire brigades from Bukit Bendera, Mount Erskine, Paya Terubong, Kampung Cross Street and Perak Lane.
Authorities have confirmed that the cause of the fire and total losses are still under investigation, with further updates to be released once assessments are completed.
