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Gas Explosion in Malaysia Injures Over 100, Destroys 49 Homes
A catastrophic fire sparked by a ruptured gas pipeline engulfed several homes and sent a massive fireball into the sky near Malaysia’s largest city, injuring more than 100 people on Tuesday.
The terrifying blaze, which occurred near a gas station in Putra Heights on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, could be seen from miles away and raged for several hours. The fire broke out during Malaysia's public holiday when Muslims are celebrating the second day of Eid.
According to national oil company Petronas, the fire originated from one of its gas pipelines at approximately 8:10 a.m. The affected pipeline was isolated soon after, and disaster management teams confirmed that shutting the valves would eventually extinguish the flames.
At its peak, the fire towered over 20 stories, but by 2:45 p.m., firefighters were able to approach the site as the flames began to subside, according to the Selangor state fire department.
At least 49 homes were severely damaged, and 112 individuals sustained injuries, including 63 who were rushed to the hospital for treatment of burns, breathing difficulties, and other trauma. Selangor Deputy Police Chief Mohamad Zaini Abu Hassan confirmed the figures, as reported by Bernama news agency.
In response to the escalating danger, Selangor Chief Minister Amirudin Shari stated that local authorities evacuated nearby residences and set up temporary shelters in nearby mosques for those displaced by the fire.
Disturbing images and videos of the explosive fireball quickly spread across social media, with many residents recounting how their homes shook violently from the shockwave. Some reported feeling a tremor, with doors and windows rattling as the flames intensified.
Lee Weng Ken, one of the victims, shared his harrowing experience of having the ceiling of his house collapse and crush his car parked outside. “I rushed out but fell due to the heat, suffering burns as I fled the blaze near my home,” he said.
Another victim, identified only as Andy, described a similar panic as he and his children rushed from their home upon feeling tremors and seeing the fire approaching from just 100 meters away. “I managed to get the car out, but my daughter injured her foot when she fell while trying to climb the fence to escape the heat,” he recounted.
As a precautionary measure, Petronas shut down three nearby gas stations, though they were not directly impacted by the fire. Investigations into the cause of the explosion are ongoing.
The devastating fire has raised concerns over safety measures in high-risk areas, as local authorities continue to assess the full extent of the damage.