KLUANG: A fire broke out at the chemical storage area of a garment factory in Jalan Mengkibol, Kampung Mengkibol near here on Wednesday (Nov 17).

       Renggam Fire and Rescue Department chief Mohd Fauzi Md Nor said the department received a distress call at around 11.25am.

       He said six firefighters from the Renggam Fire and Rescue Department were sent to the scene.

       Mohd Fauzi said they were assisted by six firefighters from the Larkin Fire and Rescue Department, and a team from the Johor Baru Hazardous Materials Unit (Hazmat).

       "The storage area which was engulfed in flames housed eight tonnes of sodium hydrosulphite and caustic soda," he said in a statement.

       Mohd Fauzi said the firemen used 20 units of dry foam fire extinguishers and a 70m airflow channel created on the roof of the building to release the heat from the chemical.

       He said also present at the scene were three officials from the Johor Department of Environment (DOE) to assist with the operations.