Earlier yesterday, a series of dramatic photos and video clips were found to have been circulating online, purportedly showing a factory at an undisclosed location that had suddenly caught fire. In some of the clips that were filmed from the proximity of the blaze, what appears to be a dark mushroom cloud illuminated from within by a deep orange blaze.
Massive fire occurred at Johor petrochemical factory yesterday
According to Johor State Civil Defence, it was revealed that the fire had taken place at in the Lotte Ube Synthetic Rubber petrochemical factory located in Tanjung Langsat Industrial Complex, just roughly 8 kilometers from the Pasir Gudang Industrial Area in the state of Johor. The blaze was said to have occurred sometime around 5.15pm on Thursday (24th February 2022), and as many as 26 firefighters were dispatched to the scene in order to help control the situation.
Plumes of thick smoke and brazen flames could be seen erupting from within the factory complex, before a massive fireball had erupted that was quickly followed by a mushroom-shaped cloud.
Mushroom cloud could be seen as far as from Singapore
The mushroom cloud was apparently flung to such heights that even those living in the neighbouring island state of Singapore were said to have been able to see it from the Punggol and Pasir Ris regions. According to Singaporean daily The Straits Times, many residents living in both neighbourhoods were alarmed by the blaze and had actually contacted the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), thinking that it had occurred nearby.
This was later confirmed by a spokesperson from the SCDF, who said that they had received numerous calls concerning a major fire incident that had purportedly happened in the north-east part of Singapore.
“Upon investigation, SCDF confirms that there is no major fire incident happening locally within Singapore.” they added.
Local fire authorities in Johor said that the blaze was tempered and extinguished at around 8.40pm the same day, with the help of other emergency teams. However, the cause of the fire is still currently being investigated. A statement released by Hassan Abdul Karim, Member of Parliament for Pasir Gudang, claims that the chemicals involved in the fire were cyclohexane mixed with mertodaine.
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