NEWS
Putra Heights Fire: Timeline & Updates on the Gas Pipeline Explosion That Shook the Nation
Last week, on the second day of Raya, a horrible tragedy struck the community in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, and the nearby area. A gas pipeline explosion sent shockwaves through the area, with flames soaring high into the sky that were visible from several kilometres away.
The incident forced many families away from the vicinity as hundreds of houses suffered significant damage from the extreme heat.
In a report by Harian Metro, the estimated loss from the tragedy could reach more than RM1 billion. The estimation is said to have included the physical damage to homes, destruction of vehicles and various household items, as well as a general decrease in property values in the affected areas.
Here's the timeline of the incident and recent updates:
1st April 2025
8:23 am
- The Selangor Fire and Rescue Department confirmed a gas pipeline blaze in Taman Puchong Perdana, Puchong, Selangor.
- Firefighters from Subang Jaya, Puchong, Shah Alam, Bukit Jelutong, Cyberjaya, Rawang, Klang Selatan, Klang Utara and Damansara fire stations were dispatched to the scene after an emergency call was received.
- Four main valves in Dengkil, Puchong, Batu Tiga and Meru were closed to release the remaining natural gas. The process is expected to take approximately four hours.
- Videos of destruction following the explosion began circulating on social media.
- Residents in nearby housing areas were evacuated.
- Firefighting efforts continued as the flames raged on. The temperature at the time reportedly reached about 1,000 degrees Celsius.
By 11 am
Image Credit: Facebook
- Victims received initial treatment from Health Ministry personnel before being transferred to Hospital Serdang, Putrajaya, and Cyberjaya for further medical care. Reported injuries included burns, lacerations and breathing difficulties.
- Some rescued victims were placed at the Sri Maha Kaliamman Temple.
- Selangor Minister Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari announced the opening of a temporary relief centre at Masjid Putra Heights.
11:20 am
- Preliminary findings from the fire department confirmed that the blaze was caused by a gas pipeline leak spanning approximately 500 metres.
- Petronas Gas Sdn Bhd confirmed that the fire occurred near its main pipeline near Putra Heights, Puchong, around 8 am.
11:54 am
The Department of Environment began monitoring air quality in the vicinity of the blaze.
12:19 pm
Masjid Al-Falah USJ 9 opened its doors to shelter affected victims.
1 pm
The route between Seafield and Bandar Saujana Putra on the Elite Motorway was closed to all vehicles.
1:55 pm
The fire has slowly subsided before it's fully extinguished around 3:45 pm.
5 pm
- Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced RM5,000 in aid for badly affected homeowners and RM2,500 in aid for more than 100 homeowners whose properties suffered partial damages.
- The government and Petronas will be taking responsibility to repair and replace the properties that have been badly damaged.
- The Fire and Rescue Department confirmed 237 houses and 365 vehicles were affected.
- 305 victims suffered from burns and difficulty breathing due to the fire. No death recorded.
2nd April 2025
- Multiple agencies and businesses, including the Malaysian Animal Society (PHM), CIMB, JPJ and Etiqa, offered aid to the victims.
- The Department of Environment informed that the air quality of the affected area does not show any abnormal air pollutant index (API) reading.
- More than 20 agencies opened an investigation following the explosion.
3rd April 2025
- 115 homeowners were allowed to return to their home in the morning.
- 85 homeowners in Taman Harmoni, Putra Heights, were allowed to return home.
4th April 2025
- As of 9 am, 48 out of 134 victims of the fire were still being treated at hospitals and clinics.
- Digital Ministry of Malaysia to provide replacements for digital devices to the victims
- 25 victims have received temporary vehicles from Chery Malaysia on loan for a month.
- The Selangor Housing and Real Estate Board (LPHS) is offering more than 100 house units for rent to the victims.
- The Selangor government will be providing aid for school students through the Yayasan Islam Darul Ehsan (YIDE).
- The Ministry of Education (MOE) is to donate RM1,000 to the victims, including teachers and students affected by the incident.
- Selangor Chief of Police Datuk Hussein Omar Khan confirmed that there was an excavation activity to replace a sewage pipe located 30 metres from the centre of the explosion.
5th April 2025
- The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim visited the location of the explosion.
- 30 more victims of the fire received loan cars from the car sales company Carro.
- 130 homeowners were allowed to return home.
- Airbnb offered 78 temporary homes to victims.
6th April 2025
- 25 families were allowed to return home.
7th April 2025
- Five Rapid KL-On Demand Vans were deployed to send about 76 students affected by the fire from two temporary evacuation centres (PPS) to 19 schools around Subang Jaya.
- Gas supply disruptions were reported in several areas of Peninsular Malaysia. Restoration efforts are underway.
Keep an eye out for more updates regarding this incident.
Featured Image Credit: Malay Mail
Featured Image Credit: Malay Mail