A fire broke out at an electronic waste and electric vehicle (EV) battery collection facility in the Bukit Rambai Industrial Area, Malacca, yesterday, reducing the plant to ruins. The incident occurred around 12:50 pm.
The Malacca Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) received an emergency call at 12:51 pm and immediately deployed a fire rescue tender (FRT) vehicle, a water tanker, and seven personnel from the Tangga Batu fire station. Upon their arrival at 12:56 pm, approximately 90% of the facility—responsible for collecting and dismantling mobile and EV batteries for recycling—had already been consumed by flames.
As the fire intensified, four additional fire stations were called in for support. The expanded response team included three FRTs, another water tanker, an emergency medical rescue services (EMRS) unit, an aerial ladder platform (ALP) vehicle, and a hazardous and toxic materials (Hazmat) team. In total, 30 firefighters from Tangga Batu, Cheng, Malacca Tengah, Ayer Keroh, and Alor Gajah worked together to bring the fire under control.
Following the incident, Datuk Rais Yasin, senior state executive councillor for housing, local government, climate change, drainage, and disaster management, ordered a full investigation into the plant’s operations. Authorities, including the Department of Environment, will assess the facility’s compliance with safety regulations and operating licences to determine whether it was functioning within legal guidelines before the fire.