An explosion in a gas pipeline in Malaysia’s largest city injured 145 people even as the fire kept burning for several hours on Tuesday.
The major blaze erupted in a suburb outside Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday morning due to a leak in the gas pipeline. Videos surfaced only showing the towering inferno in Putra Heights visible from several miles.
The inferno led to 20-storey flames and caused a huge crater in an empty area near a residential neighborhood, Associated Press reported.
While 67 people were admitted to public hospitals, 37 others sought treatment at clinics and private hospitals. The residents said that they felt a strong tremor and homes shook.
A colossal fire erupted today in a Malaysian suburb outside Kuala Lumpur due to a burst gas pipeline, prompting evacuations of nearby homes.
The towering inferno near a gas station in Putra Heights in central Selangor state was visible for miles.pic.twitter.com/ffxSUnTQMP
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Lee Weng Ken, whose suffered injuries in the accident, said the ceiling of his house collapsed after the blaze. “I rushed out of my house but fell and suffered burns due to the heat from the blaze,” he said.
National oil company Petronas, in a statement, said the fire broke out at one of its gas pipeline at 8.10am. The fire department said that the blaze damaged 190 houses and 148 cars.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim visited the affected residents and announced financial aid for victims.
UPDATE: Around 200 houses have been damaged after a gas pipeline explosion and fire in Putra Heights in Malaysia.
The Selangor Fire and Rescue Department reported that the heat and flames also affected 148 cars and 11 motorcycles.
A total of 112 people were impacted, with 63… https://t.co/G5QEYUyu6R pic.twitter.com/L2iA6OrwxH
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“There is a lot of damage across housing areas,” Ibrahim said, adding that the government and Petronas will be responsible for repairing affected homes.
Meanwhile, Selangor Chief Minister Amirudin Shari said on Facebook that the fire department has quickly evacuated residents from nearby homes as a safety measure. He said they will be temporarily placed in a mosque nearby until the situation is under control.
