A gas pipeline leak triggered a massive fire on the outskirts of Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, on Tuesday, injuring more than 100 people. The fire, which could be seen from kilometers away, erupted at around 8:10 am (00:10 GMT) in Putra Heights, a suburb in Selangor state, after an explosion and fireball. The fire was caused by a leak on a pipeline owned by the state-run energy company Petronas.
The blaze quickly spread, threatening nearby villages during a public holiday for the Muslim Eid celebration. According to Selangor’s chief minister, at least 49 homes were damaged, and 112 people were injured. Sixty-three of the injured were taken to the hospital for burns, breathing difficulties, and other injuries. Fortunately, no deaths have been reported.
Selangor’s disaster management unit said rescue efforts were ongoing, with emergency services working to help trapped residents and treat those suffering from burns. As of now, 82 people have been rescued. In the meantime, local residents are being temporarily housed at a nearby mosque until the situation stabilizes.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic. One resident living 200 meters from the fire site recalled hearing a loud explosion followed by panic, with neighbors quickly fleeing their homes. Social media footage of the fireball spread quickly, and some residents reported feeling a strong tremor that shook their doors and windows.
Petronas confirmed in a statement that the pipeline had been isolated and emergency procedures were in place. The company also assured that three nearby gas stations were unaffected but closed temporarily as a precaution. Investigations into the cause of the leak are underway.
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