[December 5th's child]

Three die in gas explosion

By Amie PDH Ishak

Police cordoning off the seafood factory in Serasa after the explosion yesterday. The building with the roof ripped is seen in the background.	Acting Director of Fire and Rescue Dept speaking to the press.
Ugik (right), the first man on the scene showing the debris that ripped a hole in the factory roof. - PHOTOS: JAMES KON

A gas explosion at a seafood factory in Serasa at noon yesterday left three people dead and 16 injured, while nearby residents were shaken by the blast.

According to the Royal Brunei Police Force, the incident involved 19 foreign nationals causing three fatalities while 16 others are being treated at RIPAS Hospital.

The Fire and Rescue Department said two male foreign nationals died on the scene while one female victim died at RIPAS Hospital. The two men were doing maintenance work outside the building when the explosion occurred. Of the 16 injured, one victim suffered 70 per cent burns on his body.

Fire and Rescue also stated that according to the employer, there were 23 foreign employees working inside the seafood processing factory during the incident, and that all the workers have been evacuated from the building.

According to Deputy Director of the Fire and Rescue Department, Mr Lim Hock Siong, the explosion happened during maintenance work done on the factory's cold storage cooling system.

A roof blown off after the explosion.

Hazmat Team at the scene. - PHOTOS: JAMES KON

The cause of the explosion is still under investigation by the Royal Brunei Police Force and the Fire and Rescue Department.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, the Seafood Processing Factory suffered major damage during the explosion.

An eye-witness, a foreign national fisherman, Ugik, who was having his break at an area next to the factory, he said at about 12.10pm, he heard a huge explosion from the factory and ran to see what the cause was.

When he arrived at the gates, he saw factory workers running out, some of whom were injured and covered in blood. He immediately called 993 to report the incident and waited for the relevant authorities to arrive.

Some 35 Fire and Rescue Personnel from the Muara Fire Station, Berakas Fire Station, Fire and Rescue Headquarters and the HAZMAT Team along with the Royal Brunei Police Force and the Paramedics were on the scene to secure the situation.

The HAZMAT Team checked the area to ensure the safety of the scene and that there were no more gas leaks before the Royal Brunei Police Force and Fire and Rescue could go in for further investigation.

The Fire and Rescue Department is urging owners of businesses to ensure the safety of machinery during maintenance work to prevent any unwanted incidents.

*****

It was such a huge explosion! I mean, how can my hse "feel" it when its approx 2-3 KM away from my hse?? 3 died and so many casualties, 16! This is a BIG lesson to Brunei, 3 people is considered as a moderate part of the population since Brunei is small.. This is bad.., awful..if only I am a doctor right now..I could've saved at least one of them.. (._. ) IF ONLY..

**not in da mood**

*nishe*