KEMAMAN,
TERENGGANU
Village threatened by nearby refinery fire
Tank 1 = 4800 m3, Tank 2: 1580 m3, Tank 3: 13000 m3
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Evacuation plans are in place for a village with about 2,000 residents
living close to burning tanks at a refinery should the air quality drop to
dangerous levels.
Terengganu police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Aidi Ismail, however, assured
that the air quality index at the site in Teluk Kalong was not at a risky
level.
“We are tracking the air quality index every four hours, and will do so
for about a week.
“We will also be getting advice from the state environment department
and will execute evacuation plans if necessary,” he said when met at the scene.
The police have also warned the public to stay away from the operations
area.
The fire at the refinery broke out at about 6.15pm on Thursday in one of
the six tanks before spreading to an adjacent tank.
A minor fire also broke out at a third tank in the area but was
immediately controlled. A worker was injured in the blaze.
State Fire and Rescue Department director Azlimin Mat Noor said a task
force would be set up to investigate the cause of the fire.
“Based on our SOP, the report should be ready in three weeks,” he said,
adding that consultants and designers of the oil refinery tanks would be called
in.
A statement issued by the company, Kemaman Bitumen Company Sdn Bhd, said
oil inside the affected tanks was being allowed to burn out and this was why
flames were still seen at the site.
“It is not expected to pose any threat to nearby businesses and homes. A
thorough investigation will be carried out once the situation is completely
under control,” the company said.
Mentri Besar Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar visited the scene and advised residents
living in the adjacent areas to monitor their families’ health and seek
immediate treatment at health centres if they experienced breathing problems.
Over 140 fire and rescue personnel from Terengganu and Pahang worked to
control the fire.
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