Three vehicles, including a trailer carrying cargo, were destroyed in a fiery accident beneath the Udini underpass along Jalan Masjid Negeri in Jelutong on Friday morning.
The incident, which occurred at around 7am, caused major traffic congestion in the surrounding area as flames engulfed the vehicles on the busy roadway.
Apart from the trailer, a car and a passenger van were also completely damaged in the fire.
According to John Sagun Francis, the Penang Fire and Rescue Department received an emergency call at 7.04am before firefighters from the Jalan Perak Fire and Rescue Station were dispatched to the scene.
He said the fire engine arrived at the location at around 7.26am, approximately six kilometres from the station.
“The fire involved three vehicles beneath the Udini underpass following an accident. The identities of the victims involved have yet to be confirmed,” he said in a statement on Friday.
The blaze was successfully brought under control at around 7.33am, while firefighting and inspection operations continued at the site.
John added that the operation involved a Fire Rescue Tender (FRT) vehicle as well as an Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) unit.
Meanwhile, the Majlis Bandaraya Pulau Pinang said traffic wardens had been deployed to the area to manage traffic flow and ease congestion.
The incident reportedly caused severe traffic jams in several surrounding areas, including Greenlane, Jalan Masjid Negeri and Jalan Batu Lanchang, as the roads are among the main routes used by commuters during the morning rush hour.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the accident and assessing the full extent of the damage.
