Pipeline blaze near Kuala Lumpur injures dozens, halts supply
A major pipeline fire on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur has injured dozens. Intensive efforts are underway to control the situation.
On Tuesday, a serious pipeline fire occurred on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. As a result of the incident, at least 33 people were injured. Authorities reported that six were taken to hospital. The fire brigade commander in the state of Selangor, Wan Md Razali Wan Ismail, conveyed this information to the TV station Astro Awani.
In the town of Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru, located near the site of the fire, people were trapped in their homes. The head of the Crisis Management Committee in the state of Selangor, Mohd Najwan Halimi, informed the state agency Bernama about this.
The state energy company Petronas, the pipeline owner, issued a statement noting that the pipeline was located away from human settlements. However, the fire brigade confirmed that the flames reached the buildings. The fire broke out after a gas leak along a 550-yard section in the city of Puchong, forcing Petronas to halt the supply to this area.
The scale of the fire
Photos and videos posted on social media show a column of fire on the horizon and plumes of smoke rising above the site of the incident. Residents reported feeling a strong tremor as their doors and windows rattled. Intensive attempts to control the fire are ongoing, and the situation is being monitored by local emergency services.
According to CNN, at one point the fire reached the height of the 20th floor. The station reported that at least 49 houses were damaged, and 112 people were injured. Sixty-three people were hospitalised due to burns, breathing difficulties and other injuries, said Selangor Deputy Police Chief Mohamad Zaini Abu Hassan, as quoted by the national news agency Bernama.
