A TOTAL of 179 individuals have had their statements recorded thus far to aid in the investigation into the recent gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, according to Selangor Police Chief, Datuk Hussein Omar Khan.
Of those questioned, 138 were victims of the incident. The remainder included 10 individuals from developers and contractors, four from Petronas, eight police personnel, two representatives from the Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ), and 14 others.
"Statements have also been obtained from a representative of the Ministry of Health, as well as an Associate Professor specialising in engineering and construction from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)," Hussein said when contacted earlier today.
The fire, which erupted at approximately 8.10am on 1 April, saw flames reaching over 30 metres in height. The blaze, with temperatures soaring beyond 1,000 degrees Celsius, took nearly eight hours to be completely extinguished.
As of 6pm yesterday, police had received a total of 769 reports, the majority concerning damage to homes and vehicles, along with injuries sustained during the incident.
"To date, only one temporary evacuation centre remains in operation, located at Masjid Putra Heights," he added.
The large-scale operation, dubbed ‘Op Gas Putra Heights 2025’, is now in its 12th day and involves 539 personnel from 13 different agencies. Among these are 125 officers from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), including members of the General Operations Force (PGA), who are tasked with maintaining round-the-clock security in the affected area.
A further 11 agencies are actively engaged in joint investigation and mitigation efforts alongside the PDRM.
These include Petronas, the Selangor Utility Corridor, Air Selangor, the Department of Occupational Safety and Health, the Public Works Department, MBSJ, the Malaysian Civil Defence Force, Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad, representatives from the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, and Tenaga Nasional Berhad.
"The PDRM Air Operations Drone Unit is also continuing its nightly aerial surveillance over the Ground Zero location, providing visual footage and photographic documentation within a 500-metre radius to assist the Incident Control Centre in monitoring ongoing maintenance efforts," Hussein noted.
He also shared that he had the opportunity to visit and present aid to four PDRM personnel whose homes in Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru were affected by the disaster. – April 12, 2025
