Blast exposes cooking gas syndicate
KULIM, Aug 4 — A massive explosion, which involved tens of cooking gas cylinders and which injured three foreign workers in a building in Taman Cengal here early today, uncovered a syndicate involved in transferring cooking gas for domestic use into industrial gas cylinders.
Kulim Fire and Rescue chief Mohd Firdaus Daud said the authorities had suspected that an illegal activity was taking place at the building as there was no electricity supply and the building was always closed during the day, but came alive at night.
“Furthermore, there were traces of the activity and the equipment used by the syndicate to transfer the cooking gas.
“We also found various sizes of gas cylinders in the building. The owner of the building, however, has yet to be identified,” he said.
Residents in hundreds of houses in nearby residential areas, including Taman Kempas and Taman Desa Impian, also felt the tremor from the 3am explosion.
Mohd Firdaus said the injured workers suffered severe burns and were currently being treated at the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Star.
“A total of 33 firemen, including 18 from Kulim and Hi-Tech Park, together with 15 volunteer firemen took almost an hour to put out the fire,” he said.
Mohd Firdaus they had to take extra precautions while putting out the blaze as there were many other cylinders containing cooking gas in the building. — Bernama
