Methane gas poisoning: 8 firemen suffer short of breath

Eight firemen suffered shortness of breath, as a result of methane gas poisoning during an operation to bring out the body of a Bangladesh national who fell into a sewage tank.

The incident happened around midnight near a construction site at Bukit Cina.

All the firemen were believed to have been exposed to methane gas after getting into the 4.5 metres deep tank.

Melaka Fire and Rescue Department deputy enforcement chief Kamarulzaman Mohamad Din said the firemen were sent to hospital for treatment.

"They might have inhaled... they were using PPE, full equipment. Maybe the outside pressure was too strong and they suffered shortness of breath and had to come out," he told reporters.

“I've ordered them to be sent to hospital for treatment," he added.

The firemen aged between 20 to 45 years were sent to Melaka Hospital.

He said they had to seek help from a team from the Fire and Rescue Department's hazardous material (Hazmat) to bring out the body of the Bangadeshi.