Paper factory near gas pipeline catches fire in Shah Alam

A paper processing factory in Shah Alam, Malaysia, erupted in flames late Tuesday night, with the fire spreading to adjacent gas pipelines. The blaze, which occurred near Kampung Jawa in Section 35, also consumed shipping containers used as dormitories for 50 foreign workers from Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Nepal.

Firefighters from the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Selangor responded to the emergency call at 1:57 a.m. and were assisted by units from Sri Andalas and Klang Utara. The fire, which started from a pile of paper, had spread to approximately 30% of the 20,000-square-foot Class B building. Firefighters managed to control the fire by 2:50 a.m., though heavy machinery was required to aid in the suppression efforts.

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The initial report of the fire involved a Class B building of 20,000 square feet. An estimated 30 percent was burned and did not involve victims.

An inspection of the scene revealed a critical lack of fire safety measures. The factory did not have a temporary fire emergency system in place. Furthermore, the worker dormitories, located at the rear of the property, had no accessible entry points. Firefighting efforts involved 19 officers and personnel, utilizing four engines, including two Fire Rescue Tenders (FRT), one Light FRT, and a water tanker. No casualties were reported among the workers.

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There was no fire system, the workers' dormitories were at the back with no access, the dormitories were made of containers, 50 people occupied the dormitories.