JOHOR BARU: A chemical odour was detected in three housing estates here early this morning.
Authorities are still investigating the source of the foul odour.
District Fire and Rescue Department senior officer Khairul Azhar Abd Aziz said they received numerous calls from residents at Arc@Austin Hill on Jalan Sagu 36, Taman Mount Austin, and Taman Istimewa, alerting them to the foul smell at 1.30am today.
Acting on the complaints from the affected residents, a team of 19 men from the Hazardous Material unit was deployed to the scene.
As of press time, the team has yet to determine the source of the chemical odor, and operations are ongoing.
"An air quality assessment using gas detectors to monitor the chemical levels in the affected areas was conducted.
"Operation is ongoing, and we are monitoring the situation closely," he said.
Residents in the housing estate are advised to remain indoors, while the authorities identify and neutralise the source of the odour.