MIRI — A lorry carrying unidentified liquid chemicals was completely destroyed after it caught fire along Jalan Miri Bypass near Vista Perdana late last night, triggering a hazardous materials emergency.
According to the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), the incident was reported at 11.16pm, prompting the dispatch of fire engines from Lopeng and Miri Central fire stations. Upon arrival, firefighters found the lorry engulfed in flames, with unknown chemicals spilling onto the road.
Initial inspection revealed that the spilled liquid was corrosive, as several firefighters experienced damage to their protective boots during the operation.
Lopeng Fire Station operations commander Irwandy Abdul Rahman said his team had to act cautiously due to the dangerous nature of the materials.
“Firefighters wore full personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent direct contact with the chemicals. The fire was extinguished from a safe distance using water and foam spray. The area was sealed off to ensure public safety,” he said.
The lorry driver reportedly could not confirm the exact type of chemicals involved as all transport documents were destroyed in the fire.
To manage the spill, a 10-member Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) team from Bintulu, led by Senior Fire Officer II Shukri Abdullah, arrived at the site at 6.10am today. They conducted chemical analysis and identified measures to safely neutralise the contamination.
The Hazmat team used water from their specialised vehicle to dilute and neutralise the hazardous substances, followed by a thorough decontamination procedure of the affected area. The entire operation concluded successfully at 7.05am.
Authorities have since instructed the transport company responsible for the lorry to remove all remaining chemical residues safely from the site.
No injuries were reported in the incident, but investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire and the identity of the chemicals involved.
