Residents say the river was previously clear with fish seen in the water.
EARLY on Sunday morning, residents in Section 14, Petaling Jaya, were awakened by a WhatsApp message about a fire at a factory in Section 13.
Later that morning, residents noticed that Sungai Penchala, which flows behind some of their houses, was murky.
Resident Dr Sharifah Roohi Waseem was one of those who noticed the river’s appearance.
“I realised the water was murky about 7.15am. It is usually clear and we can see fish and even otters.
“A neighbour who lives downstream said she saw some dead fish too,” said Sharifah.
She said as the day progressed, the water became less murky.
Section 7 fire station chief Mohd Hafiz Mat Dali said his office received a call at 4.50am about the fire in Section 13.
“We arrived at the powder- coating factory at 4.55am and managed to bring the fire under control by 5.45am.”
While he was unable to comment on Sungai Penchala’s condition, he said it was possible that runoff from the factory’s drains could have flowed into the river after the fire was put out.
He said the fire razed 40% of the factory.
Based on a social media post by the Selangor Fire and Rescue Department, firefighters from six fire stations were despatched to the factory located at Jalan 13/3 in Petaling Jaya.
Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran said based on information received, “What is in the river is not continuous discharge but could be due to fire-fighting efforts”.
