Explosions Alarm Johor Residents Recalling Putra Heights Incident

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A large blaze with thick smoke rose up to 100m at Taman Kota Puteri in Masai, Johor, today, visible from over 5km away along the Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) Expressway.
Several explosions were also heard, causing alarm among residents earlier this afternoon.
The fire partially destroyed a lorry and engine oil storage facility along Jalan Cenderai 27, with the Johor Fire and Rescue Department saying there were no casualties were reported.
According to a Bernama reporter at the location, the fire also spread to a housing area located about 50m from the scene, with the heat felt by residents of nearby Taman Megah Ria.
Zulkarnain Mohamad Nor, 63, a resident, said it was the first such incident in the area and that it was deeply worrying, as his house is just about 50m from the fire.
ADS“At about noon, I saw thick smoke, and not long after that, the fire spread very quickly. It might be due to spilt oil from the storage area, but I’m not sure,” he said.
He said several lorries parked there were completely burned, and residents were especially worried that what happened in Putra Heights recently might be repeated here.
“The fire department has also told us to evacuate,” said Zulkarnain, who has lived in the area for 20 years.
Housewife Elesha Alwi, 42, said she was terrified after hearing a series of loud explosions.
“The fire broke out around 1pm, but loud bangs could already be heard from around noon. I didn’t expect that by 1pm, flames would be soaring with thick black smoke.
“I was at home with my three children; we were really scared. The police told us to evacuate, and my family and I exited through the back door,” she said.
The Johor Fire and Rescue Department said it received an emergency call at 12.54pm, and the first fire engine arrived at the scene at 1.06pm.
It said the fire was already raging when firefighters reached the scene.
“Preliminary estimates indicate about 60 percent destruction. Strong winds caused the fire to spread to a disused waste oil storage area,” it said in a statement.
The firefighting operation involved 34 personnel from the Pasir Gudang, Johor Jaya, Tebrau, Kota Tinggi, and Larkin stations, as well as the Mount Austin and Ulu Tiram volunteer fire brigades.
It added that 14 foam canisters were used in the firefighting efforts.
ADSSome areas destroyed, 15 vehicles damaged
Meanwhile, Zone I deputy chief senior fire superintendent II Rosfarawadi Ismani Ismail said five premises were affected by the fire, which swept across about 1,000 square metres and damaged 15 vehicles.
“The affected premises included a waste oil storage area, a recycling centre, a soap-making facility, a lorry parking area, and a construction material storage area. The lorry parking area and oil storage were completely destroyed.
“Lorry drivers managed to escape during the incident. The destroyed vehicles are seven tankers, five motorcycles, and three private vehicles,” he told reporters at the scene.
He said the fire has been brought under control, but firefighting operations were ongoing to prevent any reignition.
“The cause has yet to be determined, but based on worker accounts, it is believed to have started in the recycling and oil storage areas.
“Nearby residents were ordered to evacuate as a precaution and will be allowed to return home once the area is confirmed safe,” he said.
As of 6.30pm, Bernama observed that around 20 families from Taman Megah Ria had been instructed to temporarily evacuate their homes. Many were seen gathering in nearby open areas.
- Bernama

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