AIR quality in Masai remains under control despite Saturday’s large-scale fire, with no hazardous pollutants detected, according to the Johor Department of Environment (DOE).
DOE Johor director Dr Mohd Famey Yusoff said air monitoring began from 8pm across three key locations, including Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Kota Puteri and the Fire Control Post on Jalan Kempas 12.
“No readings of volatile organic compounds (VOC) were recorded at any of the monitored locations. However, ammonia was detected at the Fire Control Post but remained below AEGL-2 levels, which means it posed no serious health threat,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
He added that air quality monitoring would continue throughout Sunday, 22 June 2025, as a precautionary measure.
On Saturday, the Fire and Rescue Department reported that five premises and 15 vehicles were destroyed in the blaze, which covered an area of approximately 1,000 square metres. The fire broke out at a lorry and engine oil storage facility on Jalan Cenderai 27, Taman Kota Puteri, with 60 per cent of the facility consumed by flames.
The Johor Fire and Rescue Department’s operations centre received the emergency call at 12.54pm, with the first team arriving on scene by 1.06pm. The fire was reported to have started around 11.30am, quickly intensifying due to strong winds.
“Upon arrival, firefighters found the fire involved a lorry depot and storage area for engine oil. The strong wind caused the flames to spread to a nearby used oil storage facility, which was not in operation,” the department stated.
Thick black smoke from the blaze rose to 100 metres and was visible more than five kilometres away, including from the Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) highway. Explosions were also heard, raising alarm among nearby residents.
Initial suppression efforts included two 1,200-foot hoses with two jets from the Pasir Gudang station, two 700-foot lines with one jet from Johor Jaya, and a 600-foot hose from the volunteer fire team. Fourteen foam canisters were used in the operation, which drew water from fire hydrants, tankers and engine reserves.
A total of 34 personnel from the Pasir Gudang, Johor Jaya, Tebrau, Kota Tinggi and Larkin fire stations were involved, along with volunteer teams from Mount Austin and Ulu Tiram. As of the time of writing, the firefighting operation was ongoing, with no casualties reported.
Bernama reporters at the scene observed that flames had reached within 50 metres of nearby homes, though no houses were directly affected. Heat could be felt as far as Taman Megah Ria.
Long-time resident Zulkarnain Mohamad Nor, 63, said this was the first fire of such magnitude in the area.
“The incident started around 11.30am. I saw thick smoke at first, and then it spread very quickly. There might have been spilled oil because the storage facility deals with fuel,” he said.
“There were several lorries parked there that were completely destroyed. We were really worried—especially with what happened in Putra Heights. The fire brigade has already told residents to evacuate,” he added. - June 22, 2025
