Mar 12, 2010

Cops: LPG cylinders kept illegally

ALOR STAR: The liquefied petroleum gas cylinders which exploded at the double-storey shoplot in Taman Batik in Sungai Petani on Wednesday were illegally stored there.

Kuala Muda OCPD Asst Comm Hashim Ali said police could not find any records to show that the Fire and Rescue Department or Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry had approved the premises for storing and trading in gas cylinders.

He added that officers from Department of Occupational Safety and Health visited the building yesterday. ACP Hashim said police had yet to record statements from the three workers who were injured in the 7pm blast.

He said two of the men were still warded at the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital here, while the other admitted at the Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital intensive care unit in Sungai Petani.

“We will wait until their condition is stable before recording their statements. We hope they will be able to shed some light on the incident,” he said.

ACP Hashim said police found 12 large LPG gas cylinders and 16 small cylinders in the premises after the fire was put out.

He said police were investigating the case under Section 285 of the Penal Code.