Leak in a pipeline owned by state-run Petronas causes fire to spread to villages during the Eid public holiday.
A gas pipeline leak has triggered a massive fire on the outskirts of Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur.
The blaze, visible for kilometers, erupted after an explosion and fireball at 8:10 a.m. (00:10 GMT) on Tuesday in the suburb of Putra Heights, located in the central state of Selangor.
The fire, caused by a leak in a pipeline owned by state energy company Petronas, quickly threatened nearby villages during the public holiday for the Muslim Eid celebration. At least 12 people were injured, according to Selangor’s chief minister, as reported by the state news agency Bernama.
Earlier, Selangor Fire Department Director Wan Md Razali Wan Ismail had told broadcaster Astro Awani that 33 people were injured. No fatalities have been reported.
The state’s disaster management unit stated in a release that rescue efforts for trapped residents are ongoing, with several burn victims receiving treatment.
Selangor’s chief minister said 82 people have been rescued so far, adding that residents would be temporarily housed 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 meters (650 feet) from the fire site, according to Malaysia’s *Star* newspaper. “We immediately left the house and soon saw other residents leaving too.”
Petronas stated in a brief announcement that the pipeline had been isolated.
Three gas stations near the site were unaffected but have been temporarily closed as a precaution, the company said, adding that investigations are underway.
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