PETALING JAYA: Just the night before, the Wees were celebrating.
But the next morning brought terror and heartbreak.
And yesterday, they walked into what looked like a “war zone”.
The Wee brothers had celebrated their father’s birthday at their family home at Putra Avenue Topaz on Tuesday night, just hours before it partially crumbled in the gas pipeline inferno.
“Dad turned 62. We celebrated his birthday with the whole family at home the night before the incident.
“The next morning, I got a frantic call from him telling me he was fleeing from the fire with my mother and youngest brother,” said Jonathan Wee, 33, when met with his brothers Michael, 32, and Justin, 30, near the Incident Control Post.
All three brothers had only recently moved out of the house to live on their own.
The brothers are grateful for the help pouring in, but are hoping for fair and reasonable redress for their losses.
“All we ask is for an assurance of a fair settlement to fix the damage. It is our family home.
“We grew up here and our parents worked hard to build it,” said Michael, adding that the houses there were worth between RM1.5mil and RM2.4mil.
Their corner lot unit was one of the most expensive ones.
Other residents shared the sentiments.
Chan Weng Hoi, 64, felt that it would be ideal if the government offered a rented property nearby for the affected families until they move into their homes again.
“We are thankful for the relief centres. But how long can we go on living there?
“We need to know where and what we ought to do after this and not be kept in the dark,” said the industrial equipment dealer.
Putra Avenue Topaz residents association committee member Aziz Jidon, 70, also said he was hopeful the government would assist victims with temporary homes or possible rental units nearby as they rebuild their damaged houses.
“Most of us are staying with relatives now. Some of the victims are stranded.
“Not only did they lose their houses; they also have no relatives to turn to.
“A temporary house nearby would help. We visited our area and it’s like a war zone now.
“The damage to the houses are in varying degrees.
“But there were many that were completely destroyed by the fire,” said the retiree.
Earlier in the morning, accompanied by police and Tenaga Nasional personnel, 115 Putra Avenue houseowners were allowed to carry out inspections at their homes to determine if power supply could be returned to their premises.
Petaling District Officer Huzunul Khaidil Mohammed said the inspection was to determine if the homes are safe for residents to return.
Families from 85 houses in Taman Harmoni were allowed to return home since last night after safety checks by Tenaga Nasional Bhd.
Utility lines and water have been connected to these houses.
However, the residents of Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru will still not be able to return home as their homes suffered severe damage.
