Foul play ruled out in factory fire
New Straits Times, 27 March 2013
By ATIQA HAZELLAH AND RAHMAT KHAIRULRIJAL
CHEMICAL BLAST: Operations temporarily shut down to help with investigations, says department official
BUKIT MERTAJAM: THE Penang Fire and Rescue Department has ruled out foul play in the fire at an oleochemical factory in the Prai Industrial Estate that claimed the life of a technician and injured four others on Monday.
Fire investigation assistant director Mohamadul Ehsan Mohd Zain said yesterday that initial investigations suggested that the blast, which occurred prior to the fire, was triggered by a chemical reaction.
"We are also investigating whether there was any breach in the standard operating procedure prior to the incident."
He said the Peter Grene Asia Sdn Bhd factory handled highly flammable chemicals.
"We have recorded statements from several witnesses at the factory and we expect to conclude the investigation by Thursday."
Mohamadul and the department's forensic team revisited the scene yesterday.
The state Department of Occupational Safety and Health (Dosh) has also started an investigation into the incident.
Its director, Mohd Anuar Embi, said the factory had ceased its operations temporarily to facilitate investigations.
"Our investigators have gone to the factory and recorded statements from the witnesses."
In the 11.40am incident, a fire broke out shortly after a blast in a storeroom on the third floor of the four-storey factory.
The blaze killed technician, Roslan Othman, 40, and left four others seriously injured.
Those injured were identified as Baharin Arsad, 49; Jamalludin Ismail, 39; K. Ramis, 41; and Mustak Kamal, 35.
Roslan's body was found in the control room.
The four others, who suffered serious burns, were rushed to Seberang Jaya Hospital for treatment.
In Kuala Lumpur, it was reported that Dosh was also investigating a toxic fumes leak in Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan.
When contacted, a Dosh official said the reports from the state departments should be ready by today. Additional reporting by Zarina Zakariah
