SCHOOLS in the Kulai district have been ordered to suspend in‑person classes after a fire broke out at a factory in the Sengkang industrial area, with lingering smoke and fumes prompting health and safety concerns.
Following the fire at a rubber processing and storage facility, authorities have directed the temporary closure of Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Sengkang and SJKC Kulai Besar from today until further notice, said Aznan Tamin, Chairman of the State Education and Information Committee.
The closures follow evaluations and safety advice from the District Health Office (Pejabat Kesihatan Daerah Kulai).
“Monitoring by the relevant authorities has found that there is still smoke and the smell of burning in the school vicinity that has the potential to affect the health of the school community if the school session continues under the current conditions,” he said.
“Therefore, the schools have been instructed to implement Home‑Based Teaching and Learning (PdPR) and to fully comply with the guidelines and directives set by the District Health Office from time to time.”
Earlier reports indicated that the fire involved a rubber processing factory’s semi‑permanent plastic storage shed, resulting in approximately 80 per cent destruction of the building.
There were no reported casualties, and firefighters had brought the blaze under control at 8.37pm on the previous day, although suppression efforts continued into today with support from multiple agencies.
Aznan added that SJKC Sengkang has 178 pupils, 16 teachers and three operational staff, while SJKC Kulai Besar has 1,353 pupils, 71 teachers and five operational staff affected by the closure.
Separately, fire crews successfully controlled about 65 per cent of the blaze at a rubber and plastic warehouse near Jalan Air Hitam in Senai.
The warehouse, covering more than 13,000 square metres, caught fire the previous day and firefighting operations are ongoing.
Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Johor Deputy Director of Operations Muhammad Tarmizi Md Jaafar said suppression was carried out across three sectors at the front, side and rear of the building to contain the fire.
“PKO (Principal Fire Operations Team) used three lines with three breeching and six jets using relay pumping from open water sources, namely the river,” he said in a statement.
He noted that Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering (MMHE) had sent 11 personnel and 20 foam cans of 20‑litre capacity each to assist.
Additional support from neighbouring states is already on the way to bolster firefighting efforts.
“Yesterday, the fire was brought under control at 8.39pm, but firefighting operations are still being carried out today.
“So far, 39 firefighters are involved in the operation from the Kulai Fire and Rescue Station as PKO, assisted by the Bandar Baru Kulai and Skudai stations,” he added. - February 25, 2026
