By Deborah Nnamdi
A massive fire caused by a gas pipeline leak injured at least 100 people and forced residents to evacuate their homes during Eid celebrations on Tuesday morning.
Petronas, the national oil company, reported that the fire broke out around 8:10 am (1:10 am GMT+1) near a gas station in Putra Heights, just outside Kuala Lumpur, and burned for several hours.
Fire officials in Selangor, near Kuala Lumpur, stated that the blaze, visible from several kilometers away, was triggered by a leak in a gas pipeline that spanned roughly 500 meters (1,600 feet).
The statement added that the valve to the affected pipeline, owned by Malaysia’s state-run Petronas, has been closed.
Although the fire was being brought under control by the afternoon, the fire department confirmed that over 100 people had been injured.
Selangor Deputy Police Chief Mohamad Zaini Abu Hassan was quoted as saying by local broadcaster Astro Awani that about 60 of the injured were hospitalized.
The fire department said no deaths were reported but about 50 houses were affected by the blaze.
Residents were reportedly enjoying a public holiday for Eid celebrations in Muslim-majority Malaysia when they were forced to flee the suburban area.
Nizam Mohamad Asnizam, 49, who lives 100 meters from the site of the fire, fled from his house with his family in his car.
“When I woke up, I saw the fire raging, with an extraordinary sound. I have never experienced a fire with this kind of sound. The sound was terrifying. It felt like a jet engine was next to me,” he said.
Selangor Chief Minister Amirudin Shari said in a Facebook post that a temporary relief center had been set up at a nearby mosque.
He warned the public to stay away from the area affected by the fire while investigations and rescue work were being carried out.
