A mother and daughter in Butterworth face a sombre Chinese New Year after a fire destroyed their flat and all festive preparations.

BUTTERWORTH: A mother and daughter faced a frightening ordeal as a fire destroyed their home and all their Chinese New Year festive preparations at Flat Taman Bagan Lalang.

The Penang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) received an emergency call at 7.36 am and immediately dispatched fire engines to the scene.

Assistant director of Operations John Sagun Francis said firefighters found a 120 square feet first-floor flat engulfed in flames upon arrival.

“The residents, a woman and her daughter, managed to escape safely after noticing the fire,” he said in a statement.

The victims were identified as 53-year-old Tang Joo Chin and her 16-year-old daughter, who were both reported safe.

The fire was brought under control by 8.06 am and completely extinguished about 35 minutes later.

Overhaul operations were conducted to ensure no remaining embers or hot spots could reignite the blaze.

The scene was later handed over to the Fire Investigation Officer team for further examination.

 The Sun Malaysia