Authorities have ordered the immediate closure of three additional schools following a persistent fire at a rubber-processing factory in the Sengkang industrial area. The affected schools—SK Taman Kota Kulai, SK Taman Kota Kulai 2, and Sekolah Agama Taman Kota Kulai—will join two other schools previously closed due to the blaze, bringing the total number of impacted institutions to five, according to Teo Nie Ching.
The Kulai District Education Office confirmed that all students from the closed schools will switch to home-based learning until Friday. Teo reported on Facebook: “As of early this morning, flames are still active, and firefighting operations are currently in progress.”
The two other schools, SJKC Sengkang and SJKC Kulai Besar, were closed yesterday, affecting 1,531 pupils, who also moved to home-based learning.
The Fire and Rescue Department received the emergency call at 4.37 pm on Tuesday about the blaze at a large semi-permanent plastic storage facility. As of this morning, the 34-member firefighting team has reportedly brought the fire 90% under control.
The operation has been reinforced with 11 additional personnel, and industry partners have supplied foam to aid containment. Four excavators are being used to remove debris, allowing firefighters to access flames beneath the material piles. Meanwhile, the Johor Fire and Rescue Department’s drone unit is conducting thermal imaging surveillance to detect any residual heat sources.
The fire continues to pose a risk, and authorities are maintaining a strong presence at the site to ensure the safety of nearby schools and residents.
