PONTIAN: Johor Fire and Rescue Department deployed its Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) team following an ammonia gas leak at a food processing factory along Jalan Johor, here.
The department received a distress call at around 2.03pm on Tuesday (Nov 5) about the incident and instructed the Pontian Baru fire and rescue station to deploy a team to the location immediately.
According to operation commander Mohd Hasnan Abd Rahman, the incident occurred due to a leak in a pipe inside the factory, releasing about 50 litres of ammonia gas.
"When our men arrived at the scene seven minutes later, work began to transfer about 100 litres of ammonia gas from the leaking tank to the two reserve tanks.
"Firefighters had to transfer the remaining ammonia gas and evacuate the building as a precautionary measure to ensure area safety," he said here on Wednesday (Nov 6).
He added that at the time of the incident, there were about 107 workers inside the premises who were instructed to return home for their own safety.
"A Hazmat team from Larkin fire and rescue station then arrived at the location around 8pm and immediately carried out an inspection inside the building using detector devices.
"The ammonia gas concentration reading shows 0.45 ppm, which is at a controlled and safe level," he said, adding that the factory owner and the appointed contractor are now responsible for maintenance work and the decontamination process at the affected area.
Mohd Hasnan said that around 19 firemen, including Hazmat, as well as one Fire Rescue Tender (FRT) and one Emergency Medical Rescue Service (EMRS) and other assets were deployed to the scene.
He added that the incident was under control through the close cooperation between the two fire stations without anyone sustaining any injuries.
