On the ground: Tengku Amir Shah visiting the gas pipeline fire area in Putra Heights on the second day of follow-up efforts. — ART CHEN/The Star
SUBANG JAYA: The gas pipeline fire at Putra Heights has left a huge scar on the ground there – a 9.8m-deep crater, with a diameter of around 21m by 24m.
A day after the explosion, small fires were still burning in several houses, although the main blaze at Jalan Putra Harmoni was completely put out by 3.45pm on Tuesday.
“The Fire and Rescue Department has deployed a fire engine with six personnel to continue monitoring the area for any potential fires to prevent the flames from spreading to other residences,” said Subang Jaya police chief Asst Comm Wan Azlan Wan Mamat.
With the fires still breaking out, he said only residents in less affected areas have been allowed to enter to collect essential items and important documents.
“Even then, it is only under escort,” Bernama quoted him as telling reporters at the Incident Command Post in Subang.
He added that, so far, 13 out of 111 injured victims are in the red zone, while the remaining 55 victims are receiving treatment in the yellow zone and 43 in the green zone.
“Of the 111 victims, 75 are being treated at Hospital Sultan Idris Shah Serdang and Hospital Cyberjaya, while 36 others are being treated at various other hospitals, including Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Hospital Sungai Buloh,” he said.
ACP Wan Azlan said the 529 people affected by the fire are being housed at two temporary relief centres, namely at the Putra Heights Mosque Hall (485 people from 110 families) and Subang Jaya City Council multipurpose hall (44 people from eight families).
The police also confirmed that 235 premises and 399 vehicles were affected in the incident, with 59 reports received, including those related to damaged homes and vehicles, injuries and land issues.
Among those who visited the scene were Raja Muda of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah and former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari has called on the public to come forward with any evidence regarding misconduct related to the incident and to provide information to the police.
Meanwhile, Subang Jaya Mayor Datuk Amirul Azizan Abd Rahim said the development project near the site of the gas pipeline fire has been approved since 2022, with all necessary permits secured.
He said the project, which involves the construction of shoplots, is currently in the final phase of securing its Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC).
“The project was initially scheduled for completion in December last year but faced some delays due to the CCC approval process,” he said.
