FIRE BREAKS OUT AT KULIM LANDFILL

KULIM, Jan 27 (Bernama) -- A landfill in Padang Cina, Kulim Hi-Tech, caught fire today.

Kulim Zone 3 chief Senior Fire Officer II Mohd Faizal Sulaiman said the department received a call at 6.30 pm reporting the incident.

“A team of 12 firefighters from the Kulim Hi-Tech Fire and Rescue Station was deployed to the scene. The operation was also assisted by private companies.

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“The operation is ongoing, and no casualties have been reported,” he said in a statement today.

Mohd Faizal said the landfill was estimated to cover 1.42 hectares, and the fire was still raging and spreading.

He added that additional logistics, equipment, and machinery were being mobilised to control the fire.

Meanwhile, Kedah Department of Environment (DOE) director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab said the fire affected Cells 1 and 2 of the landfill.

She said Kedah DOE was conducting aerial monitoring using drones and had installed gas measuring devices to monitor air quality around the site and its impact on residential areas and schools nearby, while also using gas meters to detect other pollutants.

“The Air Pollution Index (API) at the nearest ambient air quality monitoring station in Kulim Hi-Tech recorded a reading of 60, which falls under the moderate category. Continuous monitoring will be carried out to ensure the site’s compliance with the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and its regulations.

“An investigation will be carried out under Section 29A(2) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974. Members of the public are advised to stay away from the area,” she said.

-- BERNAMA