A veteran lawyer and his clerk have died following a devastating blaze that swept through a double-storey pre-war shophouse in George Town’s historic district.
The charred remains of former prominent lawyer Datuk San Markan Ganapathi, aged 88, and his 60-year-old clerk Chandra Binwani Jiwatram were discovered on the first floor of the building situated along Lebuh King. Both victims are believed to have succumbed to smoke inhalation as flames engulfed the structure shortly after midday.
San Markan, who had only recently marked his 88th birthday celebration, was found seated near a window. The distinguished legal practitioner had retired from active practice several years ago but continued to serve the community in his capacity as a notary public. His clerk Chandra was discovered near a wall, buried beneath a collapsed pile of files and documents.
“Thick smoke, likely intensified by the large volume of paper files stored in the building, is believed to have contributed to the fatalities,” said Penang Fire and Rescue Department director Mohamad Shoki Hamzah.
Firefighters battling to contain the inferno faced considerable obstacles throughout the operation. The aged pre-war structure proved fragile whilst dense smoke hampered rescue efforts and visibility within the burning building. The accumulation of legal documents and paperwork within the premises created conditions that allowed smoke to spread rapidly and intensify.
The Penang Fire and Rescue Department has indicated that investigations into the precise cause of the blaze are continuing, with officers examining the scene to determine what sparked the fatal fire.
The incident marks a sombre loss for Penang’s legal fraternity, with tributes expected to pour in for the veteran lawyer who dedicated decades to serving the local community through his legal practice.
Source: The Star
