SHAH ALAM: Damage to the houses in the gas pipeline blast in Putra Heights is estimated at RM65.4mil, following initial findings by a technical team, led by the Fire and Rescue Department, says Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
However, the Selangor Mentri Besar said losses were mitigated due to the quick action of the relevant agencies and the public who arrived at the scene after the explosion.
“They managed to save damage to properties valued at about RM289.9mil,” Amirudin told a press conference at the state secretariat here yesterday.
He added that public infrastructure in the area was being accessed to gauge the extent of the damage.
The Mentri Besar also disclosed that technical investigations into the blast would only commence on April 15 after ground strengthening and stabilisation work had been carried out at the site.
Earlier at the press conference, Amirudin said as at 11am yesterday, 151 houses affected by the blast were safe for occupancy.
He said owners of these houses had been given the green light to return.
“Volunteer teams such as SERVE (Selangor Volunteer) and Team Selangor have gone to the houses to help with the cleaning process after seeking permission from the house owners,” Amirudin said, adding that this was to help the victims return to their daily lives as quickly as possible.
He said the technical team, having assessed the damage to the houses, had come out with a final count of 437 homes affected by the blast.
“Eighty-one houses have been confirmed to be totally damaged, 81 partially damaged and 57 burnt without any damage to the structure,” said Amirudin.
According to the Mentri Besar, beginning yesterday evening, 219 families, registered with the state disaster management unit at the temporary evacuation centres, would receive financial assistance from the Federal Government and PETRONAS, which would be channelled through the state government.
Owners of houses that were totally damaged will receive RM10,000, with RM5,000 coming from the Federal Government and RM5,000 from PETRONAS.
Those whose houses were partially damaged will receive RM2,500 from the Federal Government and another RM2,500 from PETRONAS.
For rented premises, tenants will also receive RM2,500 from the Federal Government and RM2,500 from PETRONAS.
“The state government has also agreed to give a rental assistance of RM2,000 per month for six months to each affected family so they could rent houses while their homes are being repaired or rebuilt,’’ said Amirudin.
He added that the rental assistance for 613 families would incur the Selangor state government an estimated RM7.356mil.
