Industrial area in Ara Damansara closed off after ammonia gas leak at ice factory

KUALA LUMPUR - An ice factory in Taman Perindustrian Jaya, Ara Damansara, Petaling Jaya and the area surrounding was closed to the public following an ammonia gas leak at its premises yesterday.

Petaling Jaya district police chief ACP Mohamad Fakhrudin Abdul Hamid said police received a MERS 999 call about the gas leak at 10.17pm yesterday and rushed to the scene assisted by 27 fire-fighters from nearby.

He said the area affected around the Jaya industrial park, which is about 400 square metres, has been closed to the public due to a pollution index reading of 200 parts per million (ppm).

"Until now, no one has been affected by the incident and nearby residents who smell gas and experience symptoms of dizziness and vomiting should immediately inform police and seek treatment at the hospital.

"Until 1.15pm today, this area is still closed to the public and who are asked to use other routes to avoid any untoward incidents,” he said today.

Meanwhile, Mohamad Fakhrudin said the area around the ice factory in Taman Perindustrian Jaya will only be reopened when the pollution index reading is at a rate of 25 ppm.

He said the current reading inside the factory is 240 ppm and the surrounding area is about 200 ppm.

Meanwhile, the operations assistant director of the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) in Selangor, Ahmad Mukhlis Mokhtar said fire-fighters used a water mist to lower the ammonia level to a safe level.

"So far no victims have been reported involved, our personnel will be at the location until the area is confirmed to be safe,” he said.

A resident of Apartment Seri Meranti, which is located next to the industrial area, said he had shortness of breath and a sore throat after inhaling ammonia gas last night.

Zainal Abidin said at the time of the incident, he was in the office of the apartment’s joint management committee and he thought the air conditioning gas in the premises was leaking.

"But after the air conditioning was switched off, the smell still lingered and was even getting stronger. Then I went out and saw many residents coming out and down from their homes with some complaining of shortness of breath,” he said. - BERNAMA