JOHOR BARU: A chemical spill has forced the evacuation of five houses in Kampung Baru Sri Aman here as two women were rushed to hospitals on Tuesday (Sept 14). Johor Fire and Rescue Department hazardous materials unit chief Saiful Bahri Safar said they received a distress call at around 10.22pm on Tuesday and a team arrived some 15 minutes later. Saiful Bahri said initial tests found a chemical, suspected to be methyl alcohol, at concentrations of 120 ppm (parts per million). He said they directed villagers from five houses located some 150m away from the river to vacate their houses and move to a public hall. As of 2.30am Wednesday (Sept 15), spill detection efforts are continuing and assistance has been requested from the Environment Department (DoE) and Melaka hazardous materials unit.
