No foul play detected in old EPF building fire, say PJ cops

Photo: Bernama

PETALING JAYA: The police have yet to detect any criminal element in the fire at the iconic Employees Provident Fund (EPF) building in Jalan Gasing, here.

Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Mohamad Fakhrudin Abdul Hamid said investigations into the fire had commenced.

"So far, we have not found any signs of foul play. We are still waiting on the forensic report from the Fire and Rescue Department and will be able to take further action once the report is completed," he said on Tuesday (May 23).

This was the second time a fire has broken out at the same building in five years.

The latest incident involved the fourth and fifth floors of the now-unoccupied building, which was being renovated for conversion into a senior living facility

The fire caused a massive traffic jam on the Federal Highway as many slowed down to gawk at the incident.

Firemen at the scene also closed a slip road leading from the Federal Highway to Jalan Gasing, which worsened the congestion.

Firemen managed to put out the blaze in 10 minutes.

The building has now been sealed to ascertain the cause of the blaze, said Selangor Fire and Rescue Department assistant director (operations) Hafisham Mohd Noor.

"Renovations were being carried out and the cladding had been removed. The fire likely broke out due to internal work," he said, adding that the situation was brought under control by 11.08am on Tuesday.

A total of 68 personnel, including firefighters, police, Tenaga Nasional Bhd and Petaling Jaya City Council personnel, were involved in the operation.

EPF also said it would investigate the cause of the fire.