GEORGE TOWN – The laboratory at the Science Department of the Institute of Teacher Education in Gelugor here had to be evacuated this evening following a chemical spill caused by a cat.
The cat was said to have sneaked into the laboratory and knocked over 10 bottles containing liquid sodium dihydrogen before a laboratory assistant noticed the incident.
Jalan Perak Fire and Rescue operations chief Fauzian Izzuan Abdullah said 16 personnel, including the Hazmat special team from the Bayan Baru station, were deployed to the scene after receiving an emergency call at 4.48pm yesterday.
“Upon arrival at the scene, the team found 10 bottles containing sodium dihydrogen were broken, and the contents had spilled on the floor of the 10x10sqft laboratory.
“We took immediate action to evacuate the building to allow the Hazmat team to carry out decontamination work,” he said in a statement.
Fauzian Izzuan said no victims were involved in the incident, and the operation ended at 6.47pm. – October 11, 2023