28-5-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) A significant explosion alarmed the residents of Lima Kedai following a major fire at a factory located in the Dato Yunus Sulaiman Industrial Park.
As firefighters worked tirelessly to control the blaze, a series of small explosions culminated in a massive detonation around 11pm on Monday night (May 27). This dramatic turn of events forced both firefighters and police officers to retreat hastily for their safety.
Johor Fire and Rescue Department director Siti Rohani Nadir stated that the department received an emergency call about the incident at approximately 6:37pm that evening.
“We dispatched a total of 50 firefighters from five fire and rescue stations, supplemented by six volunteer firefighters from the Senai and Kulai Besar fire and rescue teams,” she reported.
The response team was well-equipped, deploying three Fire Rescue Tender (FRT) vehicles, two tankers, one Light Fire Rapid Tender (LFRT), one Aerial Ladder Platform (ALP), one Compact Fire Rescue Tender (CFRT), and one Emergency Medical Rescue Service (EMRS).
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“The factory comprises seven units that house paint processing and lubricant processing facilities. These facilities contain highly flammable materials such as solvent, acetone, and dimethyl ether (DME),” explained Siti Rohani.
Preliminary eyewitness accounts suggest that the fire originated in the warehouse area of the factory.
“Our strategy involved both defensive and offensive firefighting techniques, including the use of foam to extinguish the flames. The fire has been successfully brought under control, and we are currently performing cooling operations to ensure the fire is completely extinguished,” she added, noting that fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Siti Rohani also mentioned that the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage are still under investigation.
In the aftermath, Iskandar Puteri OCPD Assistant Commissioner M. Kumarasan issued a directive for residents within a 500-metre radius to evacuate the area for their safety.
“This measure is to ensure public safety. Once we receive confirmation from the Fire and Rescue Department that the area is secure, residents will be allowed to return,” he stated.
The factory’s hazardous contents, combined with the scale of the fire and the subsequent explosion, highlight the critical need for ongoing safety measures and thorough investigations to prevent future incidents.
