LABUAN: A chemical warehouse that stored hazardous materials at Jalan Rangu in Kg Rangu here was completely razed by a massive fire early Sunday (April 17) afternoon, with thick black smoke visible from some 10km away.

       People living in the nearby villages reported hearing a number of loud explosions as smoke filled the island's skyline for a number of hours.

       In the 2.30pm Sunday incident, no casualties were reported but the warehouse, which was used to store oil and gas-related hazardous chemicals, was completely destroyed.

       At least 36 firemen from fire stations in Rancha-Rancha, Layangan, Labuan Sentral and Labuan fire and rescue department headquarters were dispatched to the scene to battle the blaze.

       Labuan Fire and Rescue director Ismaidi Ismail said the fire was noticed by a warehouse worker who alerted the authorities minutes after the incident broke out.

       "When firemen arrived, they saw very thick smoke which signified that the fire had been spreading for quite some time.

       "They managed to control the fire from spreading to another warehouse storing industrial chemicals within one-and-a-half hours,” he told Bernama on Sunday.

       Villagers also witnessed chemicals spilling on the roads following the massive fire in the warehouse and firemen were seen cleaning up the affected roads

       Ismaidi said an investigation is being carried out to determine the cause of the fire. - Bernama