Ice factory shuts down due to gas leak

GEORGE TOWN: An ice-making factory in Bayan Lepas was forced to stop operation after ammonia gas leaked from an ice-maklng machine yesterday morning.

Penang Fire and Rescue Services Department Bayan Baru Station operations commander Syed Nasir Syed Khalid said a Hazardous Materials and Items (Hazmat) team was deployed with 18 fire fighters to deal with the situation, which occurred at 10.15am.

He said the Hazmat commander ordered factory operations halted and the area to be aired while the machine was repaired.

"The readings was zero ppm (parts per million) and the area is safe," he said of the two hour operation in a media statement.