Old EPF building ablaze again

PETALING JAYA: The iconic Employees Provident Fund (EPF) building in Jalan Gasing here was up in flames for a second time in five years, possibly due to flammable panels on the building’s exterior.

The fire involved the fourth and fifth floors of the now unoccupied building, which is undergoing renovation before it is converted to a senior living facility.

Smoke billowed from the building, causing a massive jam on the Federal Highway as many slowed down to gawk.

Firemen, who rushed to the scene, closed the slip road leading from the highway to Jalan Gasing, which caused further jams.

The firemen managed to put out the fire 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 are being carried out and the cladding is being removed. However, the fire was likely due to internal work,” he said, adding that the situation was brought under control by 11.08am yesterday.

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

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

According to a recent report by The Edge, the building was scheduled to be reopened next year as a senior living facility by Pacific Senior Living Sdn Bhd, which has signed a 30-year lease with EPF.