IPOH: A popular ice cream producer, which has served local folk for four decades, lost all its stock when a huge fire broke out at its factory.

“Our entire cold room warehouse and ice cream stock had been lost to the flames. “It will take us a few months to rebuild what was lost,” Wonderful Creamery said in a Facebook post.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department operations assistant director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said the damage to the factory, located at the Jelapang industrial area, was estimated at about 80%.

“We were informed by the factory owner that a diesel tanker and two ammonia tanks in the premises were on fire,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He said that a hazardous materials team conducted a test to check whether there was leakage to the tanks and found none.

“We also ensure all valves and compressors have been fully shut,” he added. Sabarodzi said firemen had detected some ammonia gas leakage from some freezer equipment but the matter had been resolved.

“The valves and compressors were shut off. “We conducted a water curtain exercise to dilute the ammonia gas that has been vaporised.

“The hazardous materials team is closely monitoring the situation to ensure no further pollution,” he added.

He said the operation involved firemen from the Ipoh, Meru Raya, Simpang Pulai and Pasir Puteh stations.

“Once the fire had been controlled, we then continued to ensure there were no more embers from the wreckage,” he added.

According to Wonderful Creamery’s website, it began operating in 1983, producing ice cream in various forms such as sticks, cups, cones, tubs and wafers.

“What the fire couldn’t take away is our spirit, and your support, which means the world to us right now.

“We promise to return, stronger, kinder and even more committed to spreading joy – one ice-cream at a time,” it said in its Facebook post.