MIRI: Fire and rescue authorities ordered an immediate halt to construction works at a new school site in Tudan here on Friday after dangerous levels of flammable gas were detected rising from deep piling holes, triggering a multi-agency emergency response.
The incident occurred at the construction site of the new Sekolah Kebangsaan Tudan after gas was observed escaping from bored piling holes estimated to be more than 33 metres deep.
The Fire and Rescue Department received an emergency call at 10.15 am and arrived at the scene nine minutes later.
No injuries were reported.
Initial assessments by firefighters from the Lutong Fire and Rescue Station confirmed continuous gas emissions from the ground.
The type of gas could not be immediately identified, prompting authorities to suspend all construction activities as a precaution.
A specialised Hazmat team from the Bintulu Fire and Rescue Station was subsequently deployed to conduct detailed gas monitoring at the site.
According to Fire and Rescue officials, gas readings taken at 7.10 pm and again at 7.23 pm near the piling holes showed Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) levels exceeding 30 per cent and spiking above 40 per cent, indicating a high risk of ignition.
Oxygen levels remained within normal range at 20.09 per cent, while hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide were not detected.
However, officials said the elevated LEL readings strongly suggested the presence of flammable gases.
“The gas behaviour and instrument response indicate the presence of natural gas components, including methane, propane and butane,” the Fire and Rescue Department said in its operational report.
Methane is classified under the NFPA 704 hazard system as extremely flammable, with a flammability rating of four.
Authorities noted that LEL readings returned to normal levels when the piling holes were sealed, but rose sharply once they were reopened, confirming the source of the gas emissions.
Further monitoring within a five-metre radius of the site showed no detectable gas concentration, and conditions at the location were dry and windless, with no fire or explosion reported.
Fire and Rescue officials have recommended that all piling holes at the site be fully sealed or backfilled before the area can be reopened, particularly given its proximity to a school.
“No activities should be allowed at the site until all bored holes are properly closed to eliminate the risk of fire or explosion,” the department said.
Multiple agencies were present during the operations, including Police, Public Works Department, Department of Environment, PETROS, district authorities, village leaders and the site contractor.
The Fire and Rescue Department said technical advice and confirmation have been sought from the Department of Minerals and Geoscience, the Department of Environment and the Chemistry Department Malaysia.
The operations concluded at 8.45 pm.
The incident was handled by seven firefighters using one fire rescue tender.
Authorities said the situation remains under monitoring as further technical assessments are carried out.
