KUALA LUMPUR, April 1 — A massive gas pipeline fire broke out today in Putra Heights, Selangor, on the second day of Aidilfitri, causing widespread damage and prompting emergency evacuations.
The fire, which started in the morning, involved a leaking Petronas gas pipeline, with flames reportedly reaching up to 500 metres in length and visible from several kilometres away.
Authorities have confirmed that multiple houses have been affected, with firefighters working to rescue trapped residents and provide aid to victims at a temporary relief centre in Masjid Putra Heights.
This is what we know so far:
8.10am: The Selangor Fire and Rescue Department (FRD) receives the initial call reporting a gas pipeline fire in Jalan Putra Harmoni, Putra Height, Subang Jaya.
8.22am: The first fire and rescue vehicles from the FRD in Subang Jaya arrive at the scene, approximately 12 km from their station.
8.23am: Selangor FRD officially announces they received a call regarding the incident.
As of initial reports: The fire involves a leaking Petronas gas pipeline with an estimated 500-metre stretch ablaze, with flames rising high.
As of initial reports: Firefighters and other agencies are conducting evacuations of residents in the surrounding housing area.
As of initial reports: Authorities at the location confirm that the Petronas petrol station nearby is not on fire; only the main gas pipeline is affected. The pipeline has been shut off, and the fire is expected to burn until the remaining gas is exhausted.
As of initial reports: The fire has spread to several houses in the vicinity. The number of houses affected is yet to be determined.
As of initial reports: There are victims involved, with the exact number yet to be confirmed.
10am: The fire is still burning. Petronas has closed a valve on the affected gas pipeline, but the distance to the closed valve is unknown.
10am: Firefighters have successfully rescued 7 victims, including 2 senior citizens. The total number of victims and the further spread of the fire around the houses are still being assessed.
As of initial reports: Rescued victims have been taken to the Dewan Serbaguna Masjid Putra Height (a multi-purpose hall at the Putra Height Mosque) which has been designated as a temporary relief centre (PPS). Some victims have burns and are awaiting ambulances for treatment. The mosque authorities are currently assisting the victims.
10.22am: Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) announces that electricity supply in the Subang Jaya, Selangor area has been fully restored. It was disrupted earlier due to the fire.
11.14am: FRD successfully rescued 33 persons, with 35 persons still being evacuated. Four injured victims were brought to the hospital.
11.30am: PLUS Malaysia Berhad announces closure of the Seafield-Bandar Saujana Putra route on the ELITE Highway as a safety measure.
1.51pm: PLUS Malaysia Berhad reopens Seafield-Bandar Saujana Putra route on the ELITE Highway.
1.55pm: Total number of victims stands at 112 persons, namely 63 requiring hospitalisation and 49 others sent for initial treatment at the Sri Maha Kaliamman Temple (which had been designated as a medical base). As of this time, 49 houses are reportedly affected due to the fire.
Later, FRD says it would take an estimated four hours to complete the controlled burn-off of gas from three identified pipelines in Putra Heights.
FRD also announces a second search mission to ensure no one is left behind in the affected area, and urged the public to provide information on missing family members in the affected area.
3.40pm: Selangor FRD says work to put out the fire is still ongoing and the fire is nearly extinguished. As of this time, 190 houses, 148 cars, and 11 motorcycles have been identified as having been damaged due to the fire and heat.
3.45pm: The gas pipeline fire has been fully extinguished.
5.14pm: Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari in a Facebook post says 305 victims have been rescued and placed at the Temporary Evacuation Centre (PPS), the Subang Jaya Hospital Medical Centre, Sunway Medical Centre, Serdang Hospital and Putrajaya Hospital. No deaths recorded as of 5pm.
Amirudin says two affected housing areas measuring 290 metres are to be closed off as a prohibited area until it is safe for residents to return.
