Elderly man burnt to death in George Town flat

A man was burnt to death in a fire which destroyed his home in Padang Tembak Flat, Paya Terubong, here today.

The body of Tan Beng Poh, 60, was found sprawled face down in the living room.

Penang Fire and Rescue Department deputy director Mohd Shoki Hamzah said five fire engines and 25 firemen had to break down the door of the unit located on the second floor after receiving a distress call at 4.55pm.

"We found that heavy smoke spread to the third floor and the fire was put out by 5.15pm," he told reporters at the scene.

He said their investigations revealed that Poh, who was mentally unsound and lived alone at the house, deliberately misplaced the house keys and used the small window in the bathroom to go in and out of the house.

"His brother who lives next door said the house has faced several fires in the past, but were not too serious," he added.

Mohd Shoki said the cause of the fire and total loss incurred is still being investigated.