A gas pipeline explosion occurred on Tuesday in Putra Heights, a suburb of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, producing a significant fire that could be seen from several kilometres away. The national oil company Petronas reported the incident, which happened around 8:10 am, and confirmed that the affected pipeline has since been isolated.
Firefighters, including a large contingent from Selangor, were deployed to combat the blaze, which spread to nearby houses in a local village and resulted in the evacuation of residents. As a precaution, three nearby gas stations were temporarily closed, although they were spared from damage. Initial reports indicated that seven individuals, including two elderly people, were successfully rescued, and treatment for burn injuries was provided to several others. Thankfully, no fatalities have been reported.
Selangor’s Chief Minister, Amirudin Shari, stated that emergency measures were quickly implemented to ensure the safety of local residents, who were temporarily housed in a nearby mosque until the situation stabilised. As the fire raged, many residents reported feeling their homes shake due to the explosion’s force.
As investigations into the cause of the explosion continue, visuals of the dramatic fireball have circulated widely on social media, drawing considerable attention. The local disaster management authority is assessing the full extent of the damage and ensuring the safety protocols are being followed to prevent further incidents.