ALOR GAJAH: The Melaka Fire and Rescue Department Melaka took more than nine hours to clean up a chemical spill weighing 43.1 tonnes after a trailer skidded at KM215.6 of the North-South Expressway (NSE) early Wednesday (May 25).

       The department's hazardous materials unit (hazmat) operations commander, Fire Superintendent Zulkhairani Ramli said they received a report on the incident at about 2.56am.

       "A total of 14 members from the Alor Gajah and Ayer Keroh fire stations including a hazmat team were sent to the location and found that a trailer carrying a load of solid scheduled waste of copper and aluminium powder had skidded on the roadside.

       "The 29-year-old driver and his 31-year-old attendant escaped unhurt," he said in a statement Wednesday.

       Zulkhairani said the hazmat team took a pollution level reading using special equipment including thermal cameras and chemical detectors, and found that the situation was safe.

       "The operation was temporarily suspended due to rain. We needed to ensure that the material was completely dry because we were afraid that the chemical waste could react and turn toxic when exposed to water. Firefighters also covered the chemical spill with waterproof canvas.

       "As of noon, the operation is still ongoing," he said. – Bernama