KUCHING: Two factories were destroyed in a massive blaze at Batu 9, Jalan Indah Ria late Wednesday night, in an operation that took firefighters nearly 12 hours to bring the fire under full control.
The fire, which broke out at around 11:10 pm, involved a used tyre factory and a plastic recycling plant after flames from a pile of tyres nearby spread to both buildings.
Initially, the blaze engulfed a pile of tyres measuring about 60 by 60 square feet outside the factories before spreading rapidly.
Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said the tyre factory was completely destroyed, while the adjacent plastic recycling plant sustained about 60 per cent damage.
Firefighters from Kota Samarahan, Kota Sentosa, Siburan and Tabuan Jaya stations were dispatched to the scene, about 20km away, following an emergency call.
They drew water from two nearby hydrants and additional water tankers to douse the flames, which were successfully brought under control and prevented from spreading to other nearby buildings at around 5.15 am.
No injuries or casualties were reported.
As of press time, firefighting operations were still ongoing as embers continued to smoulder among the piles of tyres.
Bomba said an excavator is being requested to assist in digging works to help extinguish remaining hotspots.
