Firefighters detect methane, recommend closure of Sarawak highway construction site

 Hazmat workers record a lower explosive limit reading of 100%, indicating a severe explosion risk.

The gas was first detected on Wednesday afternoon, erupting from beneath the ground after a contractor carrying out drilling work at the highway construction site reached a depth of about 45m.

PETALING JAYA:

Firefighters have recommended closing the Northern Coastal Highway construction site in Kuala Lawas, northern Sarawak, after detecting methane during their third day of monitoring following a gas eruption on Wednesday.

A state fire and rescue department spokesman said a hazardous materials team detected the flammable gas in a reading taken close to a drill hole at the site, Harian Metro reported.

They recorded a lower explosive limit reading of 100%, indicating extremely high explosion risk.

“The local authorities must ensure no activities are carried out in the area to prevent safety risks,” said the spokesman.

He said the minerals and geoscience department, and the environment and chemistry departments had been informed of the matter.

The gas was first detected on Wednesday afternoon, erupting from beneath the ground after a contractor carrying out drilling work at the site reached a depth of about 45m. - FMT