Three injured in nitrogen gas blast at factory

Thorough check: A Hazmat Unit member combing the scene after a blast occurred involving nitrogen gas at a factory in Kota Kemuning.

SHAH ALAM: One man was critically injured while two others are in a semi-conscious state following a nitrogen gas blast at a factory in Kota Kemuning here on Monday.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations Ahmad Mukhlis Mokhtar said they received a distress call about the incident at 10.14am.

“We deployed 12 personnel, a fire engine and an emergency medical rescue services vehicle to the scene,” he said when contacted.

He said checks revealed that the incident happened during a pressure test involving nitrogen, and the Hazmat (hazardous materials) Unit was also deployed to investigate.

“A 35-year-old man was critically injured while two others, aged 32 and 64, were in a semi-conscious state.

“Our checks found that the factory structure was unaffected,” he said, adding that the victims were sent to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

He said the cause of the incident was under investigation.

Meanwhile in an unrelated case, Ahmad Mukhlis said three foreigners and a local man suffered burns after a pet food processing factory caught fire at Bandar Sultan Suleiman, Klang.

“We received a distress call at around 2.12pm and sent five personnel and a fire engine to the scene.

“Checks revealed that the fire occurred at the flour storage tank there and the fire was put out before any personnel arrived at the scene,” he said adding that the cause of the fire was under investigation.