Explosion at Johor oil and gas facility, 2 injured

Johor Baru/Singapore –  During the early hours of April 12 (Friday), a loud explosion was heard by those living on the east side of Singapore. The blast came from a Petronas oil and gas facility in Pengerang, Johor located 15km away from Singapore.

Malay Mail and Today reported that the blast was heard within a 50km radius while netizens living within the area shared that they felt shockwaves from the blast. Residents in Pasir Ris area mentioned via a thread in Reddit Singapore how their windows rattled for five seconds while those in Upper Changi got startled at what they thought was thunder.

At Punggol, doors vibrated which made Reddit user FitCranberry comment, “yeahhhhhh I’m definitely staying away from the Punggol expansion.”

The explosion and fire were said to have come from the Petronas Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (RAPID) project in Pengerang. Malay Mail reported that two local workers, aged 28 and 30, sustained minor injuries because of the incident and received outpatient treatment at the site’s medical emergency centre.

“A total of five fire engines and 30 personnel managed to contain the blaze and later extinguish the fire at 2.15am,” said Kota Tinggi police chief Superintendent Ahsmon Bajah.

Petronas’ emergency and response team (ERT) was promptly deployed and managed to control the fire in half an hour. “The situation is under control and all relevant authorities have been informed,” said Petronas in a statement.

The Johor Safety, Security and Environment Committee, District Disaster Committee, and the Petronas RAPID Pengerang’s safety management will be investigating the cause of the explosion and fire, said Superintendent Ahsmon.

Twitter user @ckliio9 uploaded a video of the fire with the caption: “An ex-staff of mine sent me this video. I was told that it’s at the Pengerang Integrated Complex PIC) where the PETRONAS Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (RAPID) is. I hope and pray that no one is harmed.”

An ex-staff of mine sent me this video.

I was told that it's at the Pengerang Integrated Complex PIC) where the PETRONAS Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (RAPID) is.

I hope and pray that no one is harmed. pic.twitter.com/axRDliS3Ya

— I/O (@ckliio9) April 11, 2019

The explosion also damaged numerous houses in the area. Bernama reported that more than ten houses in Kampung Lepau, a village located only 1km away from Pengerang, were damaged. All affected villagers were advised to file police reports.