1 day ago
4 ARTICLE AD
Leak in pipeline belonging to state-run Petronas sends fire spreading to villages during Eid public holiday.
Published On 1 Apr 2025
A leaking gas pipeline has sparked a huge fire on the outskirts of Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur.
The inferno, which was visible for kilometres around, erupted following an explosion and fireball at 8:10am (00:10GMT) on Tuesday in the suburb of Putra Heights, central Selangor state.
Caused by a leak on a gas pipeline belonging to state-run energy firm Petronas, the blaze quickly threatened nearby villages during a public holiday for the Muslim Eid celebration, injuring at least 12 people, according to Selangor’s chief minister, state news agency Bernama reported.
Earlier, Selangor fire department director Wan Md Razali Wan Ismail had told broadcaster Astro Awani that 33 had been injured. No deaths have been reported.
The state’s disaster management unit said in a statement that efforts to rescue trapped residents were ongoing, with several people suffering burns being treated.
Selangor’s chief minister said 82 people had been rescued so far, adding that residents would be temporarily placed in a nearby mosque until the situation is under control.
“All of a sudden, we heard a loud bang and then total chaos,” said a resident living 200 metres (650ft) from the site of the fire, according to Malaysia’s Star newspaper. “We immediately left the house and soon saw other residents leaving too.”
Petronas said in a brief statement that the pipeline had been isolated.
Three gas stations near the site were not affected but have been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure, the firm said, adding that investigations were under way.
Source
:
Al Jazeera and news agencies
