BINTULU: A fire involving molten aluminium erupted at Press Metal Bintulu Sdn Bhd within the Samalaju Industrial Park late last night (Sep 9), initiating an extensive firefighting mission that endured over six hours.
The occurrence transpired around 11.50 pm when teams dispatched from the Samalaju Fire and Rescue Station (Bomba), with support from the Bintulu Fire Station and a Hazmat unit, reached the site to discover a leak during the molten aluminium process, a substance that reacts perilously with water.
Contrary to initial reports implicating a forklift, firefighters confirmed that the fire stemmed from a molten aluminium leak amidst heavy rain, culminating in an explosion.
All 61 workers at the facility were safely evacuated by the Emergency Response Team (ERT) to a secure location.
“The fire impacted an area measuring 120 x 60 x 120 feet, with approximately 10 per cent of the entire structure engulfed in the inferno.
“Given the hazardous properties of molten aluminium, which cannot be extinguished by water, the firefighters opted to wait for the material to cool down. Despite persistent rainfall hindering the cooling process, the situation remained manageable.
“At 1.46 am, subsequent to consultations with the plant’s safety unit, a verdict was reached to allow the material to naturally cool.
By 2.57 am, firefighters indicated they awaited the delivery of Alumina powder from the plant to entirely quell the flames.
At 3.43 am, with weather conditions still adverse, the application of Alumina powder was postponed.
“At 6.20 am, the operation was deemed concluded as the fire had been entirely subdued. Following adequate cooling of the molten aluminium, the firefighting team proceeded to cordon off the area with caution tape,” the report affirmed.
The conflagration was successfully contained with no injuries reported.
