Early Morning Blaze At Scheduled Waste Processing Facility In Gebeng

KUANTAN, June 12 (Bernama) -- A scheduled waste processing facility at a factory in Gebeng here caught fire early this morning.

Pahang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director Datuk Mohd Razam Taja Rahim said that they received an emergency call at 6.29 am today before a team of personnel was dispatched to the scene.

Upon arrival, the fire department found that the fire had occurred inside the factory, involving oil-based materials and solvents (thinner).

"The fire also affected the warehouse at the factory. However, there were no casualties involved so far and at the time of the incident, there were no workers inside the factory," he said when met by reporters at the scene.

He said the fire was brought under control at 8.25 am, thus preventing the flames from spreading to nearby areas.

According to him, for safety reasons, about 200 students from the nearby Industrial Training Institute were evacuated to a safe area temporarily.

"Our Hazardous Materials Special Team (HAZMAT) is still controlling and monitoring the incident site to ensure the area is safe and free from any contamination risks that could threaten public safety," he said.

It is said that the cause of the incident and the amount of loss are still under investigation.

Mohd Razam said the operation involved more than 50 members and officers from the Kuantan, Gebeng and Taman Tas fire and rescue stations, in addition to being assisted by more than 30 staff from agencies such as the police and the Ministry of Health.

A Bernama survey found that the route to the factory was being controlled by the police, and the fire department team was still conducting a follow-up inspection at the incident location.

-- BERNAMA