A distillation tower at Petronas gas processing plant 6 (GPP 6) in Santong caught fire after it was struck by lightning at about 8pm yesterday.

Firemen from the Paka station and Petronas have been battling the fire for nearly eight hours before it was brought under control early today.

The area has been cordoned off by security personnel.

At the moment, there are no reports on casualties.

Heavy rain and thunderstorm hit the coastal area of Dungun at about 8pm but its intensity subsided later in the night.

Attempts are being made for comments from the authorities for more details but it was learnt that the firemen had reacted by cutting the flow of gas to the distillation column to prevent a catastrophy.

Paka FRD chief Mohd Rezuan Adnan could not be immediately reached as he was believed to be involved with his men to control the fire.

A villager in Santong, Nik Hamzah Nik Man, 56, said the thunderstorm started at about 7pm.

“The occurences of lightning were intense. At about 8pm I heard sirens and fire engines entering the gas processing plant.

“I saw fire burning on the column of the distillation tower which is about 50 metres high.

“My family and I, as well as the villagers were worried if the fire went out of control,” he said.

Victor Oyedu, FNSE, FNIEEE, CPQ.
Power Quality and Energy Management Specialist.
Publisher at Afrienergyonline.com &
CEO, FullSpectrum Energy Solutions Limited, Nigeria.