BUTTERWORTH: Thick smoke billowed into the air when a factory in Permatang Pauh here caught fire at about 11am on Saturday (Dec 30).

       Firemen who rushed to the scene on Jalan Permatang Janggus had to surround the factory in efforts to contain the fire but their efforts were hampered as they had to wade through the muddy ground due to the factory being surrounded by paddy fields.

       So far, firemen from at least five stations have been dispatched to the scene and aided by other teams of voluntary fire brigades.

       "The factory measures about 100 sq metres and has sustained 70% damage.

       "Efforts to extinguish the fire are still ongoing," said the Fire and Rescue Department in a statement at noon.

       At least one victim was injured in the fire and the cause of the flames has yet to be determined.