G
General Veers
Guest
Tuesday November 9, 2010
Eight cheat death in blast at factory
BUTTERWORTH: Eight workers miraculously escaped with their lives after an explosion ripped through a motorcycle rim manufacturing factory at the Prai Industrial Estate here. The explosion, which occurred at 10.20am, even shattered the glass windows of a neighbouring factory about 50m away.
Only two of the workers were seriously injured and have been admitted to the Penang Hospital. The others, who only suffered cuts and bruises, were admitted to the Seberang Jaya Hospital and a nearby private hospital. One of victims, Nepalese Sudath Prem, 22, when met at the Seberang Jaya Hospital, said he was sitting quite far from “ground zero” when the explosion occurred, adding that he suffered minor cuts on his hands.
Bringing it under control: Firemen dousing the factory with foam after the explosion at the Prai Industrial Estate yesterday.
Penang Fire and Rescue Department assistant director (operations) Mohd Razam Taja Rahim said three engines with 33 firemen and three officers rushed to the scene after receiving a call. “We managed to bring the fire under control within six minutes with the help of 30 volunteer firefighters. “We are now trying to determine the cause of the explosion,” he said. Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy, who visited the scene, said the factory would stop operations for about a month pending repairs to the damaged area.
