KULAI: The air quality near the rubber and plastics storage warehouse in Sengkang remains within normal levels, says Johor executive councillor Ling Tian Soon (pic).
The state health and environment committee chairman said the Environment Department has been monitoring air quality since the fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon (Feb 24).
“As a precautionary measure, two monitoring devices have been placed at SJKC Sengkang and SJKC Kulai Besar to obtain more detailed and consistent readings of air quality.
“Despite the normal readings, we will continue to monitor the situation as firefighting efforts continue,” he said in a statement on Thursday (Feb 26).
Ling said the Kulai Health Office has received reports of pupils experiencing mild symptoms such as headache, cough, eye irritation and shortness of breath.
“At present, 56 pupils from SK Taman Kota Kulai have displayed such symptoms, while SK Taman Kota Kulai 2 has recorded 24 pupils.
“All those affected have received medical attention, and no one has been admitted to hospital,” he added.
He urged those with symptoms such as prolonged headache, persistent cough, eye irritation and breathing difficulties to seek immediate medical attention.
Meanwhile, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, who is also Kulai MP, said two more schools have been ordered to close temporarily due to the fire, bringing the total to seven.
“The Kulai Education Office has instructed SMK Kota Kulai and SMK Taman Putri to close,” she said in a Facebook post at noon on Thursday.
The fire, which was reported at 4.37pm on Tuesday, led to the closure of SJKC Sengkang, SJKC Kulai Besar, SK Taman Kota Kulai, Sekolah Agama Taman Kota Kulai and SK Taman Kota Kulai 2 on Wednesday.
All classes have been moved online via Home-based Teaching and Learning for the time being.
About 90% of the fire at the storage warehouse had been extinguished by 10am on Thursday, according to the state Fire and Rescue Department.
Clouds of thick smoke could still be seen billowing from the site.
