Pipeline inferno near Kuala Lumpur injures dozens, damages homes
A massive gas pipeline fire on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur injured dozens of people. Intensive efforts are underway to control the situation.
On Tuesday, a serious fire broke out in a gas pipeline on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. As a result of the incident, at least 33 people were injured. According to authorities, six of them were taken to the hospital. These details were reported to TV station Astro Awani by the fire department commander in the state of Selangor, Wan Md Razali Wan Ismail.
In the town of Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru, located near the site of the fire, people were trapped in their homes. The head of the Crisis Management Committee in the state of Selangor, Mohd Najwan Halimi, informed the state agency Bernama about this.
The state-owned energy company Petronas, the owner of the pipeline, issued a statement noting that the pipeline was located away from residential areas. However, the fire department confirmed that the flames reached buildings. The fire started after a gas leak over a stretch of approximately 550 yards in the city of Puchong, forcing Petronas to cut off the supply of raw material to the site.
Scale of the fire
Photos and recordings shared on social media show a pillar of fire on the horizon and plumes of smoke rising above the site of the incident. Residents reported feeling a strong tremor as their homes' doors and windows shook. Intensive efforts are ongoing to control the fire, and the situation is being monitored by local emergency services.
According to CNN, at one point the fire reached the height of a 20-story building. The station reported that at least 49 houses were damaged, and 112 people were injured. Sixty-three people were taken to the hospital due to burns, breathing difficulties, and other injuries, said Selangor Deputy Police Chief Mohamad Zaini Abu Hassan, as quoted by the national press agency Bernama.
