[UPDATED] Fire Dept working to put out blaze at Mid Valley Megamall

KUALA LUMPUR – Part of the Mid Valley Megamall building caught fire this morning and firefighters are currently on the scene to put it out.

Social media users began tweeting videos of black smoke rising from a side of the shopping mall at around 10.30am.

At 10.54am, Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s traffic command & control centre (KLCCC) tweeted confirmation of the fire and said the Fire and Rescue Department was already at work extinguishing it.

In another tweet some 15 minutes later, KLCCC said that two lanes around the mall have been closed to traffic to give way for fire engines and personnel.

“Traffic is being controlled by auxiliary police at the location,” it added.

The Vibes also received updates from a commuter who said that a traffic jam began to build up on Old Klang Road heading towards Mid Valley at around 11am.

People are also sharing forwarded updates on WhatsApp of those stuck in the underground parking lots of Mid Valley and the neigbouring The Gardens Mall, unable to move as the parking boom gate has stopped working, and unable to reverse because of the cars behind them.

The malls’ underground parking areas are also said to be in total darkness save for car headlights as power was suddenly cut off.

The management of Mid Valley City confirmed the fire at the mall through a Facebook post, noting that it broke out at an external Tenaga Nasional Bhd substation.

It also said Mid Valley City will be closed until further notice, when authorities deem the area safe. – The Vibes, May 17, 2023