Massive fire engulfs aluminium dross storing factory in Labis; blaze rages for two days

On Friday, February 14, a major fire broke out at a factory known for storing aluminium dross in Labis. As per the reports, the factory storing recyclable materials has been burning for two days. The blaze began in Kampung Usaha Jaya and has prompted ongoing firefighting efforts.

Sharfini Nasar, the operations commander at Labis Fire Station, confirmed the location of the fire and provided updates on the situation. He explained that firefighting efforts had to be paused overnight because the excavators needed to control the blaze couldn’t be operated. By Saturday (February 15), only 30 per cent of the fire had been put out.

“The factory’s 160ft by 60ft (48.8m by 18.2m) open shed, which stored aluminium dross, caught fire. Firemen tried putting out the fire using alternative techniques as water and foam could not be used. This was because (water and foam on the burning dross) could cause a chemical reaction ... that is bad for the environment. The techniques used include smothering, by covering the burning substance with earth,” added Sharfini Nasar.

Bekok assemblyman Tan Chong said he immediately went to the scene after receiving a complaint about the fire at approximately 11 a.m. on Friday. In addition to monitoring the progress of firefighting efforts, Tan Chong has contacted the Environment Department. The Segamat district office has also scheduled a meeting to coordinate the efforts.

The team is currently planning the post-fire clean-up with relevant government agencies. Aluminium dross is a by-product of the aluminium smelting process and can be recycled to recover the remaining aluminium content. To know more about how the aluminium dross production process, initiatives at reducing it, modern technologies, market's unique dross processing technology, and lots more, grab your copy of AL Circle’s report, 'Aluminium Dross Processing: A Global Review.' 

As per the data uploaded by the International Aluminium Institute (IAI), from 2019 to 2023 the Restricted Work/Medical Treatment Accident Rate (per MHW) recorded a drop of 1.5 per MHW, which in 2019 stood at 2.8 per MHW and in 2023 arrived at 1.3 per MHW. 

A significant drop highlights that companies are taking up safety precautions, promoting safe work place. A table above represents a detailed data from 2019 to 2023- (Source IAI data)