Wednesday July 20, 2011

Fire destroys rubber glove factory, RM107mil in losses reported

KULIM: A factory which manufactures rubber gloves suffered more than RM107mil in losses after it was destroyed in a fire at the Padang Meha Industrial area in Sungai Karangan, near here.

Several workers noticed the blaze at about 8.30am and alerted their colleagues.

Some 120 firemen, including volunteers, rushed to the scene in 20 fire engines from Butterworth, Tasek Gelugor, Bukit Mertajam, Kulim Hi-Tech Park and Sungai Petani.

It took them nearly two hours to put out the fire as low water pressure hampered their efforts.

Raging inferno: The fire engulfing the glove factory at the Padang Meha Industrial zone in Sungai Karangan, Kulim, yesterday. – Bernama

Hazmat personnel were also deployed to the scene.

Factory owner Datuk Eng Hock Sing, 47, said the factory, which had been in operation for the last 15 years, employed about 600 workers.

“I call upon the workers to be patient. We will try to resume operations within six months,” he said.

Eng was grateful that his workers escaped without injuries although he sustained losses estimated at more than RM107mil, including equipment, machinery and finished products which were due to be exported.

Padang Serai Barisan Nasional coordinator Dr Chin Tung Leong said he was saddened by the plight of the workers, adding that those who needed assistance could come to his office.