CLOSE to 200 houses were damaged in the explosion and fire believed to be caused by a ruptured natural gas pipeline at Putra Heights.
Selangor Fire and Rescue Department director Wan Md Razali Wan Ismail said 190 houses, 148 cars, and 11 motorcycles were damaged due to the flames and extreme heat.
"Our personnel are in the process of cooling the fires affecting various houses and overhauling the scene," he said.
It was also reported that 112 people from Taman Harmoni and Kampung Kuala Sungai Baharu were rescued, with 63 of them hospitalised.
Several of the victim received initial treatment at the Sri Maha Kaliamman temple in Subang Jaya.
So far, four places of worship - three mosques and a temple - have been converted into temporary shelters and treatment centres for the victims.
The mosques are the Putra Heights Mosque and the Nurul Iman Mosque, which were converted into temporary evacuation centres, as well as the Al-Falah Mosque in USJ 9, which was also offered by its management to be used as a shelter for the victims.
The Sri Maha Kaliamman Temple has also been utilised as a temporary shelter and treatment centre for the affected victims.
The fire, which broke out at 8.10 am, also impacted 49 homes in the surrounding area.
Videos, shared on social media showed the fire spreading to several nearby residential units, causing extensive property damage, including the destruction of dozens of cars and motorcycles.
As of 1.55 pm, Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said that the fire from the leaking gas pipeline was subsiding.
He added that JBPM is continuing to monitor the situation. - April 1, 2025
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