KUALA LUMPUR – A fire that tore through a two-storey shoplot housing a legal office on Lebuh King today claimed the lives of two individuals, believed to have been trapped and overcome by thick smoke.
The victims were identified as former lawyer Datuk San Markan Ganapathi, 88, and a female clerk, B.J. Chandra, 66.
Both were on the upper floor of the premises when the blaze broke out.
Penang Fire and Rescue Department director Mohamad Shoki Hamzah said San Markan was found at 1.05pm, seated on a chair near a window on the second floor, while Chandra was discovered later at 3.26pm near a wall beneath a pile of files.
“The fire involved an office building housing two law firms. However, only the second-floor premises were operating today, while the ground floor was closed as staff were understood to be attending court matters in Perak.
“Based on information received, there were three employees on the upper floor during the incident.
“One survived, while the other two died, believed to have inhaled thick smoke after being trapped inside when the fire broke out,” he told reporters at the scene.
Authorities received an emergency call at 12.14pm, prompting the deployment of 17 firefighters from the Jalan Perak and Lebuh Pantai fire stations.
Volunteer fire units from Bukit Bendera and Seri Tanjung also assisted in the operation.
Mohamad Shoki noted that traffic congestion during peak hours slowed the response time.
“At this point, the cause of the incident has yet to be determined and is under investigation.
“The building is old and somewhat fragile. When our personnel arrived, about 70 per cent of the premises had already been destroyed by the fire,” he said.
The bodies were handed over to the police before being transported to the Forensic Unit of Penang Hospital for further procedures.
Meanwhile, Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Lim Hui Ying, along with Jelutong MP RSN Rayer, were seen consoling grieving family members at the scene.
Rayer later said San Markan had visited the law firm as a client.
He described the loss of the man, fondly known as ‘Uncle San’, as deeply felt, noting that the deceased was not only a respected lawyer but also a long-time family acquaintance.
He added that San Markan had retired from active legal practice about five years ago and was working as a notary public.
At the same time, Lim said San Markan was a close friend of her father, Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang, and that they had met earlier this year during the lawyer’s 88th birthday celebration.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow also expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, hoping they would find strength and resilience during this difficult time. – April 13, 2026