At least 100 people were injured when a massive fire caused by a gas pipeline leak forced people from their homes during Eid celebrations.
Fire officials in Selangor state near Kuala Lumpur said in a statement that the inferno, which was visible kilometres away, was caused by a gas pipeline leak stretching approximately 500 metres (1,600 feet).
According to the statement, the valve to the affected pipeline belonging to Malaysia’s state-run oil firm Petronas has been shut off.
The fire department said while the early morning blaze was coming under control in the afternoon, more than 100 people were injured.
Selangor Deputy Police Chief, Mohamad Zaini Abu Hassan was quoted as saying by local broadcaster Astro Awani that about 60 of the injured were hospitalised.
The fire department said no deaths were reported but about 50 houses were affected by the blaze.
Residents were reportedly enjoying a public holiday for Eid celebrations in Muslim-majority Malaysia when they were forced to flee the suburban area.
Nizam Mohamad Asnizam, 49, who lives 100 metres from the site of the fire, fled from his house with his family in his car.
“When I woke up, I saw the fire raging, with an extraordinary sound. I have never experienced a fire with this kind of sound. The sound was terrifying. It felt like a jet engine was next to me,”; he said.
Selangor Chief Minister, Amirudin Shari said in a Facebook post that a temporary relief centre had been set up at a nearby mosque.
He warned the public to stay away from the area affected by the fire while investigations and rescue work were being carried out.
