MIRI: A full technical investigation is underway following a gas emission at the construction site of the Sekolah Kebangsaan Tudan canteen here.
Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said the state was adopting a cautious, evidence-led approach given the potential safety implications of the incident.
“We are not speculating. We are waiting for the complete technical findings. Any action must be based on facts and safety considerations,” he told reporters on Saturday.
The school alerted authorities on the gas emission during piling works for the construction of a new canteen at the school on Friday.
According to Lee, the contractor immediately contacted Sarawak Gas and the Fire and Rescue Department.
Firefighters who arrived at the site took samples and observed gas escaping under high pressure.
Two piling boreholes, each drilled to depths of about 33.6 metres and 33.9 metres, were found to be emitting gas during the works.
Multiple agencies were deployed to the site, including the Department of Environment, Fire and Rescue Department, the Resident’s Office, the Miri District Office and the police.
A specialised Hazmat team from Bintulu was later dispatched to conduct further monitoring and gas sampling.
Preliminary findings confirmed that the gas is flammable.
Lee said PETROS sent a technical team to the site and confirmed that the emission was not caused by a ruptured gas pipeline.
“At the initial stage, we suspected a pipeline leak. That possibility has now been ruled out following PETROS’ verification,” he said.
Further investigations are now being led by the Chemistry Department and the Minerals and Geoscience Department to identify the exact type of gas and assess the geological characteristics of the area, including whether it sits atop a natural gas reserve.
On whether the school should be relocated or whether construction could resume, Lee said that no decision would be made until investigations are complete.
The continuation of schooling at SK Tudan, he added, will be discussed with the education authorities and other agencies, based on safety advice from the Fire and Rescue Department.
In its operational report, the Fire and Rescue Department said all construction activities at the site have been suspended as a precautionary measure, with continuous monitoring in place until all risks are fully identified and mitigated.
The investigation is ongoing.
