A gas pipeline explosion near Malaysia’s main city on Tuesday set homes on fire and sent flames soaring, affecting over 100 people.
The massive blaze adjacent to a petrol station in Putra Heights, beyond Kuala Lumpur, remained visible across vast distances for multiple hours. The incident occurred during a public holiday whilst the Muslim majority population celebrated Eid’s second day.
Malaysian multinational oil and gas company Petronas said the fire started at its pipeline at 8:10 am. They isolated the affected section, and officials stated the fire would stop once the valves were closed.
The Selangor fire service informed the Star newspaper that by afternoon, the flames, which had reached 20 storeys high, had diminished sufficiently for firefighters to approach.
According to Selangor deputy police chief Mohamad Zaini Abu Hassan’s statement to Bernama news agency, 49 houses sustained damage whilst 112 people were affected, with 63 requiring hospitalisation for burns, respiratory issues and various injuries.
Amirudin Shari, Selangor chief minister, confirmed the fire service’s evacuation of nearby households as a precautionary measure, with temporary accommodation arranged in local mosques until safety was assured.
Social media platforms witnessed widespread sharing of the incident’s images and videos, with locals reporting significant vibrations affecting their homes’ doors and windows.
Lee Weng Ken, who experienced burns on his left leg, described his shock when his house’s ceiling collapsed, damaging his vehicle parked within the premises.
“I rushed out of my house but fell and suffered burns due to the heat from the blaze near my house,” he told Bernama.
Another resident, identified only as Andy, informed Bernama about fleeing his residence with his children upon feeling tremors and witnessing the intense fire approximately 100 metres away.
“I could only take the car out. My 18-year-old daughter injured her foot when she fell while climbing the fence due to the heat,” he said.
Petronas confirmed the precautionary closure of three unaffected petrol stations, whilst investigations continue.
