GEORGE TOWN, Feb 5 — About five hectares of forest at the Penang Botanic Gardens along Jalan Kebun Bunga here caught fire yesterday evening.

Penang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Division assistant director John Sagun Francis said his department received an emergency call at 6.24pm before dispatching a team from the Jalan Perak Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) and the Paya Terubong BBP, along with five fire engines, to the scene.