A devastating fire erupted on Tuesday morning in Putra Heights, near Kuala Lumpur, after a gas pipeline explosion sent flames soaring into the sky, leaving more than 100 people injured and damaging dozens of homes.
The blaze, which originated from a pipeline operated by Malaysia’s national oil company, Petronas, ignited at 8:10 a.m., creating a fireball visible from miles away. The incident occurred on the second day of Eid, a public holiday in the country. Authorities worked swiftly to isolate the affected pipeline, while disaster management officials confirmed that shutting the valves would eventually extinguish the flames.
At the height of the fire, flames reached as high as 20 stories, making it difficult for emergency responders to intervene. By 2:45 p.m., the fire had subsided enough for firefighters to move in, according to Selangor’s fire department.
Authorities reported that 112 people sustained injuries, with 63 requiring hospitalization due to burns, breathing issues, and other complications. Additionally, at least 49 houses suffered damage from the explosion.
Selangor’s Deputy Police Chief Mohamad Zaini Abu Hassan confirmed the casualty figures, while Selangor Chief Minister Amirudin Shari announced that affected residents had been evacuated to nearby mosques as a precautionary measure.
Videos and images of the inferno quickly spread across social media, with witnesses describing the impact of the explosion. Residents reported feeling tremors that shook doors and windows.
One victim, Lee Weng Ken, recalled the terrifying moment when the ceiling of his house collapsed, crushing his parked vehicle. He sustained burns on his left leg while trying to escape.
“I rushed outside but fell due to the intense heat,” he told Bernama.
Another resident, identified only as Andy, said he and his children fled their home after sensing tremors and spotting the raging fire about 100 meters away. His 18-year-old daughter was injured while climbing a fence in the chaos.
As a precaution, Petronas temporarily shut down three nearby gas stations, though they were not directly affected by the explosion. Investigations into the cause of the incident remain ongoing.
