A FIRE alarm in Penang’s Komtar building went off shortly before 3pm today, prompting an immediate evacuation.

Komtar, the state’s tallest building, houses the Penang administration and various government agencies’ offices.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and the state executive council, who were having their weekly exco meeting on Level 28, had to leave the building using the stairs.

“The Fire and Rescue Department is still checking on the source of the smoke at the shops on Level 3,” Chow posted on Facebook.

He also attached photos of the evacuation and of a fireman inspecting the smoke.

Later in a press conference outside Komtar, Chow said there are more than 2,000 government employees at Komtar. 

“I think by now, everyone should have left their offices and evacuated the building. 

“When we heard the first alarm some 10 minutes after we resumed the exco meeting, we also didn’t know what was happening. 

“We continued with the meeting until the next alarm grew louder and we were told to evacuate,” he said. 

Chow said they will wait for the department to determine the source of the smoke and declare the building safe before returning to work. – April 5, 2019.