The Penang fire and rescue department said the fire was put out by 5.13pm with overhaul works carried out to ensure that the flames are totally extinguished. “After confirming that there were no dangers on site, the operation was ended at 5:55pm,” said the department in a statement.

The operation involved firefighters from the Nibong Tebal, Sg Bakap, Jalan Perak, Bandar Perda and Bayan Baru stations, with assistance from several volunteer fire and rescue squads and other agencies such as the Seberang Perai City Council.

Pulau Burung is Penang’s main waste disposal site and landfill. Today’s fire is just the latest in many that have occurred there in recent years.

On Feb 8, a fire involving solid waste broke out at the same landfill and was fully extinguished after nine hours of firefighting operations.

Last September, a fire razed an area measuring 5,000 sq m (0.5ha) on the island.

The first major blaze at Pulau Burung occurred in January 2022 and affected 11ha, with firefighting efforts stretching over several days. Another fire was reported four months later.