THREE RELEASED ON POLICE BAIL IN FIREWORKS STALL FIRE PROBE

NIBONG TEBAL, March 26 (Bernama) -- Three individuals, including a woman, who were detained to assist in investigations into a fire involving a fireworks stall in Taman Pekaka here last Sunday, have been released on police bail.

Penang police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail said they were released while investigations continue, including recording statements from several more witnesses, before the investigation paper is referred to the Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP).

“Investigations are ongoing and police still need to record statements from two to three more witnesses, as well as await a full report from the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) before the investigation paper is submitted to the DPP,” he said when contacted by Bernama today.

The three individuals were remanded for three days beginning March 23 to assist in investigations under Section 286 of the Penal Code for negligence in handling explosive materials.

Meanwhile, Penang JBPM director Mohamad Shoki Hamzah said investigations into the fire are expected to be completed within 14 days.

In the early hours of last Sunday, a stall selling various types of fireworks in Taman Pekaka here was destroyed in a fire, which also involved a Yamaha Y15 motorcycle that was 90 per cent damaged and three air-conditioning units located outside a nearby house.

No injuries or fatalities were reported in the incident, which also went viral on social media, showing customers at a nearby restaurant scrambling to avoid sparks from fireworks that entered the premises.

-- BERNAMA