AMMONIA LEAK AT PONTIAN FACTORY FORCES EVACUATION OF OVER 100 WORKERS

PONTIAN, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- An ammonia gas leak was reported to have occurred at a spring roll pastry processing factory here last night.

Fire and Rescue Department operation commander senior fire officer II Mohd Hasnan Abd Rahman said they received a distress call at 2.03 pm and dispatched 19 personnel, including the Hazardous Chemicals Special Team (Hazmat), a Fire Rescue Tender, and an Emergency Medical Rescue Service vehicle to the scene.

He said the incident was believed to have been caused by a leak in a pipe, which had released about 50 litres of ammonia gas.

“Upon reaching the scene, we found that the transfer of the remaining 100 litres of ammonia gas from the leaking tank was being carried out manually (secondary line).

“Safety in the area was guaranteed through the swift response of firefighters, who transferred the (remaining) gas  to the adjacent tank and evacuated the building as a precautionary measure,” he said in a statement today.

Mohd Hasnan added that some 107 workers were evacuated, and after two hours of monitoring, they were all instructed to return home.

He said that Hazmat personnel from the Larkin Fire and Rescue Station arrived at the location at 8 pm and immediately conducted a leak check on both the ground and first floors of the building, using GFG and Gasmed detectors.

“The ammonia gas concentration reading stood at 0.45 PPM, indicating a controlled and safe level.

“Following that, the factory, along with the appointed contractor, is now overseeing the maintenance work and decontamination process in the affected area,” Mohd Hasnan said, adding that the incident was successfully contained without involving any victims.

-- BERNAMA