KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — A massive fire broke out on Tuesday morning in a suburb outside Kuala Lumpur following a burst gas pipeline, prompting evacuations in the surrounding areas.
The intense blaze, which occurred near a gas station in Putra Heights, central Selangor state, was visible for several kilometers. The national oil company Petronas confirmed the fire started at 8:10 a.m. on one of its gas pipelines.
In a brief statement, Petronas assured that the affected pipeline had been isolated. While three nearby gas stations were temporarily closed as a precaution, they were not directly impacted by the fire. The company added that investigations into the incident are ongoing.
According to the Selangor Disaster Management unit, the fire spread to several homes in a nearby village. Rescue operations are underway to assist residents trapped by the flames, with some individuals suffering burns and requiring medical treatment. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed. The unit also confirmed that the valve on the pipeline had been shut off, which will eventually help extinguish the fire.
Firefighters from across Selangor have been dispatched to the scene. Selangor Chief Minister Amirudin Shari stated that residents from the nearby area have been evacuated and are being temporarily sheltered in a nearby mosque until the situation is resolved.
