SHAH ALAM, July 24 — The Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) faced challenges to contain the fire at the Selangor Wholesale Market as the premise reportedly housed approximately 2,000 canisters of methane gas.
Harian Metro reported that Selangor JBPM operations division assistant director Ashrul Riezal Asbar said the presence of such a large quantity of methane canisters increased the risk for personnel to conduct firefighting operations at the scene.
"Based on our on-site assessment, we were informed that there were about 2,000 methane gas canisters inside the premises," he said during a media conference at the location of the blaze.
Ashrul added that several explosions occurred during the early stages of the fire, but the situation was successfully brought under control to prevent the flames from spreading.
As of 4.35am, the fire was 70 per cent extinguished, and suppression efforts were ongoing.
“JBPM received an emergency call at 11.04pm (yesterday) and the first fire engine from the Seri Kembangan Fire and Rescue Station arrived at the scene nine minutes later,” he said.
The fire was brought under control by 1.20am, and no casualties were reported.
The operation involved 68 JBPM personnel from 15 fire stations across Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya. Assistance was also provided by 11 volunteer fire brigades and the Royal Malaysia Police.
Ashrul noted that the operation faced constraints as five nearby fire hydrants could not be used because they were under private management.
"Consequently, we relied entirely on the water supply from our fire engines and water tankers throughout the operation," he said.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, as the firefighting operation has not yet concluded.
The fire destroyed a premise selling metal goods before spreading to several adjacent units. However, firefighters successfully managed to contain the fire from reaching the main market building.
