RESIDENTS FELT TREMORS
The Selangor Fire and Rescue Department said it received the initial call on the fire at around 8.10am.
The flames reportedly reached up to 20 stories high and were visible from several kilometres away.
Shortly after the fire erupted, viral videos of the blaze circulated around social media while the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia urged the public not to fly drones in the areas affected by the gas pipeline explosion.
Amirudin also warned that despite the closed valve, the flames were still intense due to residual gas remaining in the pipeline.
“I urge the public to avoid the area until the fire is fully under control and officially declared safe by JBPM (the Fire and Rescue Department). The current priority is to control the fire and rescue victims,” he said in a statement on Tuesday morning.
In a separate statement, Petronas said it was “working closely with all relevant parties to ensure the safety of the surrounding community, environment and security of gas supply to the nation, which remain our utmost priority”.
A Bernama survey at a nearby temple revealed that several Ministry of Health personnel were working to administer first aid, according to the New Straits Times. Mosque authorities were also assisting the victims.
One of the victims, 42-year-old Lee Weng Ken, who suffered burns to his left leg, said he was shocked when the ceiling of his house collapsed and crushed his vehicle parked in the compound of the house at about 8.10am.
“I rushed out of my house but fell and suffered burns due to the heat from the blaze near my house,” he said, as quoted by Bernama.
Another victim who only wanted to be known as Andy, 52, whose house was located about 100m from the site of the inferno, said he ran out with his children when they felt tremors and saw the raging fire.
“I could only take the car out. My 18-year-old daughter injured her foot when she fell while climbing the fence due to the heat,” he said.
The massive gas pipeline fire broke out on the second day of Aidilfitri celebrations.
Putra Heights is a well-developed residential area and a highly desirable location for those seeking convenience and access to key parts of the Klang Valley.
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