Was razed fireworks stall licensed, cops asked

2026-03-22 - 10:00

A 15-second video of the incident went viral, showing sparks and fireworks flying into a nearby restaurant as its workers scrambled to pull down the shutters. GEORGE TOWN: Police have been asked to clarify whether the fireworks stall that caught fire in Nibong Tebal, sending sparks flying and endangering nearby premises, was operating with a valid licence or permit. Nibong Tebal Bersatu’s youth wing said the incident raised public safety concerns and questions over compliance with the law and enforcement by the relevant authorities. It urged police to reveal the authority that approved the stall’s permit, and for detailed guidelines on where fireworks can be sold, to prevent posing a danger to the public. “If no permit was issued, why was enforcement action not taken earlier by the authorities, such as police and Seberang Perai City Council?” it said in a statement. It said the incident should not be taken lightly since it involved highly flammable materials that could pose a serious risk to the public. The Penang fire and rescue department said the blaze broke out around 12.05am in Taman Pekaka, leaving the stall 95% destroyed while a motorcycle and three external air-conditioning units at a nearby house were damaged. A 15-second video of the incident has gone viral, showing sparks and fireworks flying into a nearby restaurant as its workers scrambled to pull down the shutters. No casualties were reported. FMT has reached out to Penang police for comment.