Kemaman: A second portable flare will be installed today at the Petronas Gas Berhad (PGB) area of Section 5, East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) Site near Kemaman to burn off all traces of butane gas in the leaking pipe.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad stated that Petronas managed to install the first portable flare at around 3.30 am to begin the gas burn off. The second unit, coming from Kulim, Kedah, is expected to arrive this evening and will be immediately installed to enable all remaining gas in the 9.6-kilometre pipeline to be burned off, ensuring the area is declared safe.

Datuk Seri Nor Hisham mentioned that the burn off process, including a nitrogen purging operation, is expected to take 48 hours. This time frame will allow for continuous burning of the remaining gas in the pipeline, paving the way for restoration work. He assured the public that the gas leak does not pose a risk of explosion that would threaten nearby residents.

He further explained that assessments showed the percentage of butane gas in the air within a 400-metre radius from the leak location was only about one per cent, minimizing the risk of the gas burning and exploding. Datuk Seri Nor Hisham emphasized that while it is technically safe to work within 400 metres, a safe distance of 500 metres is maintained to prevent any potential incidents.