Thick smoke and explosions reported as Johor Baru factory burns (VIDEO)
KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 — An oil storage facility caught fire at Taman Megah Ria in Johor Baru earlier today.
The blaze, which broke out around 12.30pm, sent thick black smoke soaring over 100 metres into the air, intensified by hot weather and strong winds.
About 60 per cent of the premises was destroyed in fire, but no casualties reported, according to the Johor Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba).
Residents in the vicinity were ordered to evacuate their homes as a safety precaution and electricity supply in the affected area was cut off to prevent any untoward incidents.
According to Berita Harian, several small explosions occurred around 2pm, with oil drums seen flying through the air due to the blasts.
Bomba is actively working to bring the fire under control.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
6 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Early morning blaze razes 21 homes, temple in Hutan Melintang
The Perak fire and rescue department said firefighters were hampered by low water pressure from fire hydrants and the risk of electrical arcing from active power cables. (JBPM pic) PETALING JAYA : An early morning fire destroyed 21 houses, a restaurant and a temple at Bagan Pasir Laut in Hutan Melintang, Perak, today. Perak fire and rescue department assistant operations director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said no casualties were reported, according to Bernama. He said the department received a distress call at about 4.50am, and the first fire engine arrived at the scene about 12 minutes later. 'Two fire engines from the Hutan Melintang and Teluk Intan fire and rescue stations, along with the Bagan Tiang volunteer fire brigade, were deployed to the scene. 'When the team arrived, seven houses were already ablaze. The fire spread rapidly because of the proximity of the houses,' he said. Sabarodzi said the firefighters were hampered by low water pressure from fire hydrants and the risk of electrical arcing from active power cables in the area. 'The blaze was brought under control by 7.30am, and the firefighters managed to save 129 other houses nearby. 'An investigations is ongoing to determine the cause of the fire, as well as the extent of destruction and losses,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
21 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Heat waves and affordable housing: which way forward?
Those who reside in high-rise, low-cost housing feel the effects of the heat wave more than others owing to their homes being more compact and congested. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : As night falls, Isham Romli opens the windows of her ninth-floor flat to cool down the interior of her home. Residing in Block A of the Lembah Subang 1 People's Housing Project (PPR) in Selangor, Isham is forced to close all the windows at 10am due to the extreme heat in the Klang Valley, where daily temperatures have been reaching 35-40°C. 'If it's not too hot, I leave the windows open during the day, especially when there's a strong wind. But I can't open them too wide, otherwise items in the living room will get blown around. 'I'd like to leave my front door open as well, but since my unit faces the staircase and many people pass by, I prefer to keep it shut,' she told Bernama. To avoid being stuck indoors in her 650-sq-ft unit all day, the 62-year-old participates in various community activities at the PPR, including running sewing workshops for residents, especially housewives. 'Rather than being cooped up at home in the heat, women are encouraged to join our sewing workshops, which help them generate extra income,' she said. The situation is somewhat different for private-sector employee Siti Nuraisyah Abdul Hamid, 35, who rents a unit on the top floor of a six-storey apartment block in Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur. As Isham Romli's 650-sq-ft unit faces a staircase where people pass by, keeping her front door open for more ventilation is an undesirable option. (Bernama pic) 'The flat I live in is over 30 years old, so its design includes a spacious balcony and plenty of windows. So, if I'm home all day, I don't feel too warm,' she said. 'In addition to opening the windows, I've decorated my living room and balcony with greenery to provide a cooler and more comfortable environment.' Ventilation woes Isham is among thousands of flat and apartment dwellers affected by the heat wave that has gripped the country since May, owing to lack of proper ventilation shafts to facilitate air circulation in many newer low-cost strata housing developments. The meteorological department said the influence of the southwest monsoon has led to dry and hot weather conditions, with dry days expected to continue until September. Those who reside in high-rise, low-cost flats and apartments – comprising residential units with total floor areas of below 900 sq ft – are feeling the effects of the heat wave more than others. This is because their buildings, designed with cost-effectiveness in mind, tend to be more compact and congested, and lack good air circulation and ventilation systems. In short, their homes are heat traps. Malaysian Institute of Architects Environmental, Social and Governance chairman Axxu Hoi said poor ventilation and heat entrapment are common issues in Malaysia's low-cost housing sector, particularly in PPR and other affordable housing developments. Axxu Hoi. He said many affordable housing projects today adopt monotonous, high-efficiency layouts like double corridors with minimal windows and no courtyards, reducing opportunities for natural ventilation and light. 'You'll notice that when you visit most low-cost flats, there's often a lingering smell as the air is stuffy due to inadequate airflow,' he said. Hoi noted that poor ventilation is not just a by-product of affordability but also a sign of unsustainable design practices. 'In many units, air conditioning becomes a necessity, not a choice. That's not sustainable at all,' he added. Citing older flats like Happy Mansion in Petaling Jaya, Hoi said older designs tend to perform better in terms of ventilation and sustainability. 'Back then, buildings had features like louvered windows, cross-ventilation single-loaded corridors, and functional yard spaces. But today, such elements have been lost to faster and cheaper construction methods.' Climate-based approach According to Hoi, rising demand for affordable housing should compel the government to lead the way in building homes that are not only cost-efficient but also climate-responsive and comfortable for long-term living. He urges the government and developers to consider a climate-based approach, which integrates detailed environmental analysis into the early design phase to enhance the liveability of affordable homes without significantly increasing costs. He also recommends that sun-path and shadow analysis be conducted to ensure lower floors receive adequate daylight, as well as to avoid the issue of having dark, stuffy interiors caused by densely packed buildings. Taking into account elements like insulation, natural ventilation, and even building materials and colours reduces the need for active cooling such as air-conditioning. (Rawpixel pic) 'Such analyses can guide better placement of structures, and identify optimal areas for playgrounds and green spaces that remain cool and usable throughout the day. 'Computational fluid dynamics can also be used to study wind flow and improve natural ventilation between buildings, to create tunnel effects that enhance airflow and reduce heat build-up,' he said. Other recommendations include conducting daylight analysis to identify dark zones in corridors or shared areas, and reduce reliance on artificial lighting. Developers integrating these simple but impactful climate strategies could set new standards for affordable living, Hoi stressed. 'While keeping costs low is important, we can still prioritise liveability and comfort. Sustainable designs shouldn't be seen as a luxury – it can and should be integrated into affordable housing to improve residents' quality of life.' Energy efficiency As Malaysia continues to push for more inclusive and sustainable urban living, experts say affordable housing must go beyond just low prices – it must also be energy-efficient and climate-responsive. Malaysia Association of Energy Service Companies president Zulkifli Zahari said many of the discomforts of low-cost housing stem from not incorporating attributes that contribute to the energy-efficient design of the building from the start. Zulkifli Zahari. 'Things like building orientation, window shading, roof insulation, natural ventilation, and even building materials and colours impact how much heat the building retains. When you get these right, you reduce the need for active cooling like air-conditioning,' he commented. Zulkifli recommends that the government introduce incentives for developers that use sustainable materials or energy-efficient attributes in low-cost housing, whether in the form of rebates or subsidies. He cites the potential of solar energy, which can reduce electricity costs in common areas like corridors or community spaces, as well as reduce or minimise management fees. 'If there's a government-backed programme to equip low-cost housing with solar panels, it could ease the burden on residents,' he said. Zulkifli concluded that, with electricity tariffs expected to be adjusted on a monthly basis from next month and climate conditions becoming more extreme, it is time to reimagine affordable housing as climate-resilient, energy-conscious and future-ready. 'It is possible; it's not about making things expensive, but about designing consciously and providing support where it's needed,' he added. This article was written by Soon Li Wei as part of the PANAS! Climate Change Stories in Malaysia initiative by the Science Media Centre Malaysia.
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Malay Mail
Thai PM Paetongtarn visits flood-hit Chiang Rai as army evacuates thousands amid rising monsoon threat
BANGKOK, June 28 — Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra made an emergency visit on Saturday to the country's flood-hit north, where the military is evacuating residents after monsoon rains inundated thousands of homes. The Royal Thai Army says more than 3,700 homes were flooded across five districts in Chiang Rai province, alongside 80 hectares of agricultural land, with roads made impassable in three areas. Heavy rains are forecast to continue in the coming days, while the military has deployed rafts to ferry residents from their homes engulfed by muddy brown water, according to images shared on their Facebook page. Paetongtarn made a one-day trip to inspect damage in the hardest-hit area of Phaya Mengrai district, 25 kilometres from the Laos border. 'The prime minister met with flood-hit communities and asked about their well-being, including access to food, clean water, and care for vulnerable groups,' the government said in a statement. Paetongtarn made the visit as she faces mounting pressure in the capital Bangkok, where protesters gathered on Saturday to call for her resignation over a leaked diplomatic phone call. It remains unclear how many people have been impacted by the flooding. However the military said more than 4,400 households had been affected. Thailand's disaster prevention agency said it is closely monitoring water levels and urged communities to move belongings to higher ground in case of flash flooding. While Thailand experiences annual monsoon rains in the third quarter of the year, man-made climate change is causing more intense weather patterns that make destructive floods more likely. Widespread flooding across Thailand in 2011 killed more than 500 people and damaged millions of homes. — AFP
