Ice Cream Factory In Jelapang Gutted By Fire

IPOH, July 10 (Bernama) -- An ice cream factory located on Jalan Kilang 2 in the Jelapang Industrial Area here was destroyed in a fire last night.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) assistant director of operations Sabarozi Nor Ahmad said they received a distress call at 11.51 pm, and 37 personnel from the Ipoh, Meru Raya and Pasir Puteh Fire and Rescue Stations, along with six senior officers, were deployed to the scene. 

“When firemen arrived, the fire had engulfed the storage area for frozen goods (ice cream) and manufacturing and packaging equipment. About 75 per cent of the premises were affected, but no casualties were reported.

“The owner informed us that a 3,000-litre diesel tank and two ammonia tanks with a combined capacity of 800 litres were located within the compound of the factory,” he said in a statement today.

He said all valves connected to the compressor were fully shut, and the fire was extinguished at 4.19 am. Overhaul operations are still ongoing to put out residual embers beneath the debris.

“Firefighting operations also involved the Perak JBPM Hazmat Unit due to an ammonia gas leak from refrigeration equipment at the factory premises.

“The situation is now under control, and the main valve connected to the ammonia storage tanks has been shut off. Monitoring of the hazardous substance is still ongoing,” he said.

Sabarozi also stated that as of 6 am today, the ammonia concentration in the air was recorded at 60 PPM, and the company responsible for the chemical has been contacted to provide assistance if needed.

“At 9.30 am, Hazmat team instruments recorded a drop in ammonia levels to 10 PPM. Readings will be taken on an hourly basis,” he added.

In Selangor, an office room in the Sekolah Menengah Agama Persekutuan Kajang building was destroyed in a fire early this morning.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar said firemen put out the fire at 1.18 am.

There were no casualties, and the cause of the fire is being investigated.

-- BERNAMA