Bright Sparklers Fireworks disaster
The Bright Sparklers Fireworks fire occurred in Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia on 7 May 1991.[1][2] The Bright Sparklers Fireworks Factory in Sungai Buloh, Selangor caught fire and caused a huge explosion.[1][2] Twenty six people were killed and over a hundred people were injured in the disaster.[2] The explosion was strong enough to rip the roofs of some local houses, and ended up damaging over 200 residential properties.[3]
Date | 7 May 1991 |
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Time | 3.45 pm MST |
Location | Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia |
Also known as | Hiroshima of Sungai Buloh |
Cause | Testing on new fireworks |
Deaths | 26 |
Non-fatal injuries | 83 |
Property damage | MYR1 million |
Cause
The tragedy is believed to have been caused by explosive chemicals spilled during an experiment in the canteen of the factory. The chemicals touched off fires that rapidly spread to a nearby pile of large firecrackers, known as the "bazookas". These in turn set off the chain of explosions that ripped apart the factory and the nearby buildings, including the factory and nearby Kampung Baru Sungai Buloh.
Victims
26 people were killed and 83 people were injured. Victims were taken to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital for further treatments.
In popular culture
TV3's documentary programme, Detik Tragik (Tragic Moments) produced an episode about the fireworks disaster.
See also
References
- Jayakrishman, S.; Chung, Alex (17 April 1993). "Firm Blamed for Explosion". New Sunday Times. Retrieved 10 December 2010.
- Pereira, Ian; David, Adrian (7 May 2001). "Painful memories of Bright Sparklers". New Straits Times. Retrieved 10 December 2010.
- "Sungai Buloh new village well-known for SMEs and restaurants offering good food". The Star. Malaysia. 20 January 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2015.