Channel NewsAsia 13 Jun 08;
SINGAPORE: The public has been advised to avoid the beach and canal near Admiralty Road West, following a second fire at the same factory at Woodlands Terrace on Thursday.
The factory first caught fire on June 6.
The National Environment Agency says some of the contaminated fire-fighting water was discharged into the canal leading to the beach near Admiralty Road West.
The NEA is monitoring the situation closely.
As a precautionary measure, the public is advised to avoid coming into contact with the water in the canal and the beach near the end of the canal. - CNA/de
Woodlands factory up in flames again
Straits Times 13 Jun 08;
LUCK ran out a second time for an essential oils factory in Woodlands Terrace when two workers, carrying out salvage work after a fire struck last Friday, somehow set off a second blaze yesterday evening.
The pair were believed to have been using a gas torch to cut through two metal drums which contained essential oils when the flame of the torch ignited some oil vapour.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force received a call at about 5pm and dispatched two fire engines, two red rhinos and five support vehicles to the scene.
It took firefighters five minutes to put out the small blaze, which devastated an area of about 5m by 5m. No one was hurt.
The company that owns the factory, K.L. Koh Enterprise, manufactures essential oils used to make perfumes and food products.
At about 2.45am last Friday, a massive fire had engulfed the factory, causing loud explosions and fireballs that shot up as high as 10m.
It took 60 SCDF officers about 40 minutes to bring that blaze under control.
The SCDF is investigating the cause of the first fire.
Yesterday, the charred remains of mangled oil drums remained strewn across the blackened floor and the smell of oil still hung in the air.
Stench after factory fire: Is the air fit to breathe?
Letter from Sim Kim Kok, Straits Times Forum 16 Jun 08;
I WOULD like to draw the authorities' attention to the unmistakable stench that shrouds the stretch of Sungei Sembawang canal near the cluster of residential blocks 467 and 469 Admiralty Drive.
What started as a sweet stench - from the morning of the recent essential-oils factory fire in Woodlands - developed into a disgusting odour that now envelops the area.
A stinging and burning sensation hits the nose and throat at every breath, and it has become increasingly unbearable.
Several of my elderly neighbours have complained of light-headedness too.
Can the authorities do the needful to get rid of the pollutants in the area?
More importantly, is the air in the surrounding areas fit for people to breathe? Will there be any short-term or long-term effects on the health of the residents in the locality?
Factory fire scent was not toxic
Reply in the Straits Times Forum 21 Jun 08;
WE REFER to Mr Sim Kim Hock and Ms Angie Teo's letters on Monday, 'Stench after factory fire: Is the air fit to breathe?'.
Our investigation has shown that no toxic substance was released into the atmosphere when the factory caught fire.
The factory uses aroma oil for fragrances and food production. During the fire, some of the drums containing the aroma oil were damaged, causing the scent to be diffused into the air. There were no toxic chemicals involved in the incident, and thus no cause for alarm. We thank the writers for their feedback.
Tan Quee Hong
Director, Pollution Control Department,
National Environment Agency
