Gas pipeline fire reduces M'sia estate to ash & rubble

A massive gas pipeline fire broke out on Apr. 1 in Putra Heights, Selangor, Malaysia.

It involved a leaking Petronas gas pipeline.

The fire occurred at 8:10am and was fully extinguished at 3:45pm, with 325 personnel from 11 agencies involved in the firefighting and rescue operations.

Flames reportedly reached a height of up to 500m.

Rained pebbles

A resident who lives in Kampung Seri Aman, Puchong, some 6km from the site of the inferno, saw pebbles and sand rain down on her home and yard, The Star reported.

The 51-year-old woman said she heard what sounded like an "airplane" right above the house and the towering fire was "clearly visible".

Her vehicle was covered in "dust and fine gravel", she said.

Videos and photos put up online by a Puchong resident showed the strange phenomenon occurring.

Ground zero scenes

At ground zero, terrifying scenes of the blaze close to a resident's home were recorded and uploaded online.

The video managed to capture footage of the thick smoke and personal belongings on fire just outside the person's house, which conveyed the intensity of the heat as the blaze engulfed parts of the neighbourhood.

The aftermath of the raging fire showed scorched roads, vehicles, houses, and vegetation, with some turned to ash and rubble.

Pets rescued

During rescue operations, residents and firefighters saved pet dogs and cats from the areas near ground zero.

Victims are currently housed at a temporary relief centre in Masjid Putra Heights.

Extent of damage

According to the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), 237 houses were affected, with 305 residents displaced.

Most suffered burns and heat inhalation injuries.

A total of 78 houses and 10 shophouses sustained between 10 to 90 per cent damage.

A total of 225 vehicles were burned, with an additional 174 affected but not entirely destroyed.

Malaysia prime minister Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that compensation for residents affected will be jointly covered by the federal government, the Selangor state government and Petronas, Malay Mail reported.

Anwar said during his visit to Jalan Putra Harmoni that immediate financial assistance will be provided: RM5,000 (S$1,509) for homeowners whose properties were completely damaged to cover temporary accommodation costs, and RM2,500 (S$754) for those with partially affected homes.

Anwar added that ensuring residents' safety remains the government’s top priority, while acknowledging that rebuilding damaged homes could take a year or more.

Initial discussions with the Housing and Local Government Ministry, state authorities and Petronas have confirmed that property restoration will not be a swift process, Malay Mail added.

The Selangor police chief said authorities would investigate allegations that the fire was caused by digging at the Petronas reserve land, according to Bernama.

He said the Fire and Rescue Department and Petronas would conduct inspections in certain areas to determine the exact cause of the fire.

Top photos via FTopNews & Sin Chew Daily