Fire at Genting Highlands theme park extinguished; no casualties

BENTONG, Malaysia – A fire broke out at Resorts World Genting in Genting Highlands late in the afternoon on June 14.

The fire had been put out and there were no casualties, Pahang Fire and Rescue Department deputy director Abdul Ghani said.

A spokesman for Genting Malaysia said the fire broke out at the four-storey SkyAvenue shopping mall at around 4.30pm. Firefighters arrived at the scene at 5pm and had the fire under control at 6.30pm.

Photos and videos shared on social media showed plumes of black smoke, and fire gutting at least one side of the building.

Witnesses told news agency Bernama that there was panic as the fire and thick, black smoke spread across the building.

“We obviously panicked when we heard people screaming here and there,” tourist Hafiz Abdul Halim, 42, who was with his wife, told Bernama.

He said the police on duty instructed those inside the mall to evacuate and head for safer locations, he said.

“Everyone made it out. They vacated and left everything to save themselves. Actually, the fire occurred on the first floor of the building, but for safety purposes, we were asked to leave,” restaurant assistant Adrian Wong, 32, told Bernama.

Local news outlet Kosmo said at least 5,000 people were evacuated. 

The fire started at the second floor of the building before spreading to the fourth floor, MalayMail reported, citing a Pahang fire department memo.

All other areas of Resorts World Genting were not affected, the company spokesman said.

“Evacuation was carried out immediately to ensure members of the public were out of harm’s way. Our fire units responded promptly to extinguish the fire,” Genting Malaysia said in a statement.