SUBANG JAYA – Putra Heights residents were jolted out of their beds by quake-like tremors this morning when a nearby gas pipeline caught fire, resulting in a massive blaze that has yet to be contained.
Seventeen-year-old Tan Jia Shin said she, her heavily pregnant mother, father and two siblings were at home when they felt a strong tremor at about 8 am.
“We quickly rushed out and saw a fire raging and our home was just two streets away from the blaze. Our only thoughts were to keep our pregnant mother safe. We all rushed out of the house with the help of firefighters – without taking anything, not even the car,” she told Bernama.
Another victim, 42-year-old Lee Weng Ken suffered burns to his left leg. He had a shock when he saw the ceiling of his house had collapsed and crushed his car that was parked in the compound at about 8.10 am.
“I rushed out of my house but fell and suffered burns due to the heat from the blaze near my house,” he was quoted as saying.
Another victim, who only wanted to be known as Andy, 52, said his house was about 100m from the fire and he and his two children, aged 14 and 18, felt a tremor when the blaze broke out.
“My 18-year-old daughter injured her foot when she fell while climbing the fence due to the heat.
“Everything around the house melted due to the flames, making it difficult for us to get out of the house. We got away driving my car.”
Firefighters evacuated dozens of victims to the Putra Heights Mosque, which has been designated as a temporary relief centre, and those with minor injuries were placed at the Sri Maha Kaliamman temple here to receive medical treatment.
As of 11 am, 30 people have received early treatment while some have been sent to hospitals in Serdang, Putrajaya and Cyberjaya.
Petronas Gas Bhd’s (PGB) confirmed that the fire occurred at its main gas pipeline near Putra Heights, at 8.10 am today. The 500m affected pipeline has been isolated.
Residents have also reported damage to houses and cars located closer to the blaze. – April 1, 2025