Boiler in Sitiawan tyre factory catches fire

A boiler at a tyre boiling factory in Sitiawan, some 75km from here, caught fire.

Two fire engines rushed to the scene along Jalan Pelabuhan 12, Lumut Port Industrial Park, to put out the blaze after receiving a distress call at 10.35am yesterday, said Sitiawan Fire and Rescue Department chief Mohd Zaki Zainol.

“When we arrived at the scene, one of the boilers was on fire.

“The workers there were loading several tyres into the boiler when it burst into flames,” he said when contacted.

No one was injured.

Residents living around the area are worried that the boiler could have released toxic fumes.

Perak Health Committee chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said this incident was the best chance to teach pyrolysis operators a lesson if they fail to upgrade their operation in order to meet standards set by the authorities.

“The state is taking this matter very seriously and we will definitely come down hard on those who have not complied, starting with the factory concerned.

“Such an incident is exactly what we feared if pyrolysis operators continue to use primitive methods to extract industrial oil,” he said.

It was reported last November that 27 illegal pyrolysis operators in Perak had been given three months to upgrade their operation.

Persatuan Pyrolysis Minyak Perak had agreed that the industry would work with the Perak government as well as to ensure there was regulation among its members to use the latest technology available.

However, Dr Mah said after doing a quick check with the association chairman Datuk Chah Kok Hua, it was confirmed that the factory was not a part of the group.

“Regardless, action will be taken against the factory owner immediately,” said Dr Mah.