By DayakDaily Team
LAWAS, June 12: Flammable methane gas was detected emitting from the ground at the Northern Coastal Highway construction site here on the third day of monitoring today.
In a report from the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), readings taken near the borehole using a four-gas meter (GFG) showed that the lower explosive limit (LEL) reached 100 per cent, indicating a high level of risk.
As a result, Bomba’s hazardous materials (Hazmat) team recommended that the affected area be closed off, and local authorities have also been advised to ensure that no activities are carried out in the area to prevent any safety risks.
Technical advice and verification assistance have been requested from the Department of Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia, the Department of Environment (DOE), and the Chemistry Department Malaysia.
Reports of gas emitting from the ground at the construction site first came to light on Wednesday (June 10) when members of the public noticed gas escaping from the ground at the site.
The incident was reported directly to the Lawas fire station at 12.33pm, and a team from the Lawas station was deployed to assess the situation.
It was believed that the incident occurred after the contractor conducted drilling works at the construction site to an estimated depth of 45 metres. — DayakDaily
