A massive fire, ignited by a burst gas pipeline, tore through a residential area near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Tuesday, injuring more than 100 people. The blaze, which started at 8:10 a.m. local time in Putra Heights, a suburb outside Malaysia’s capital, sent a towering fireball into the sky and was visible for miles.
The fire, which raged for hours, began near a gas station and quickly spread to nearby homes. National oil company Petronas confirmed the incident, noting that the fire originated from one of its gas pipelines. By 2:45 p.m., firefighters were able to approach the flames, which had reached up to 20 stories high at their peak, after valves were shut off to isolate the affected pipeline. Authorities indicated that the fire would eventually be extinguished once the valves were fully shut.
Selangor Deputy Police Chief Mohamad Zaini Abu Hassan reported that at least 49 houses were damaged, and 112 people were injured, with 63 requiring hospitalization for burns, breathing issues, and other injuries. Some victims described feeling tremors as the ground shook and doors and windows rattled due to the intensity of the blast.
Selangor Chief Minister Amirudin Shari confirmed that the fire department evacuated nearby homes as a precaution, with displaced residents being sheltered in nearby mosques until the situation was under control.
One local resident, Lee Weng Ken, recounted the terrifying moments, explaining that he was severely burned when he rushed out of his home as the ceiling collapsed, crushing his car. Another resident, known only as Andy, described how he and his children fled their home after feeling tremors and seeing the fire approaching. His 18-year-old daughter sustained an injury while climbing a fence to escape the heat.
Petronas has closed three nearby gas stations as a precautionary measure, though they were not directly impacted. An investigation into the cause of the pipeline rupture is ongoing.
This incident occurred during Malaysia’s Eid holiday, a time of celebration for the country’s Muslim majority. The community continues to recover from the devastating effects of the fire as authorities work to restore order and safety.
Pexels Picture by Vladimir Shiptisin
