A massive fire caused by a gas pipeline leak near Malaysia’s capital forced people from their homes and left more than 100 people injured during Eid celebrations on Tuesday, fire officials reported.
The fire, visible from kilometers away, was triggered by a leak in a gas pipeline that stretched approximately 500 meters (1,600 feet), according to officials in Selangor state, near Kuala Lumpur. The valve to the affected pipeline, owned by Malaysia’s state-run oil company Petronas, has been shut off to contain the blaze.
By the afternoon, the fire was coming under control, but over 100 people had been injured. Of those, around 60 were hospitalized, said Selangor’s deputy police chief, Mohamad Zaini Abu Hassan, in a statement to local broadcaster Astro Awani. No fatalities were reported, though approximately 50 homes were affected by the fire.
The incident occurred early in the morning during Malaysia’s public holiday for Eid celebrations. Residents, including Nizam Mohamad Asnizam, 49, who lives just 100 meters from the fire site, had to evacuate, with some fleeing in cars. Dashcam footage shared online showed a huge fireball erupting into the sky from what appeared to be an explosion, while another video showed thick smoke enveloping a residential area, with singed trees and melted cars in the background.
Selangor Chief Minister Amirudin Shari announced on Facebook that a temporary relief center had been set up at a nearby mosque to assist those affected.
He also urged the public to stay clear of the area as investigations and rescue operations continued.
