A massive fire erupted outside Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday due to a burst gas pipeline, injuring more than 100 people and forcing evacuations of nearby homes.
The towering inferno occurred near a petrol station in Putra Heights in Subang Jaya, central Selangor, with billowing smoke visible for miles.
Frightened locals said they felt the doors and windows of their homes tremble due to the force of the blaze.
Petronas, Malaysia's national oil and gas company, said the fire broke out at one of its pipelines at around 8.10am local time.
Three gas stations near the inferno were not affected but have been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure, Petronas added.
The local fire department said Petronas had closed off the valve on the 500m (1,640 feet) long pipeline and 49 houses in the area were damaged.
The Selangor Disaster Management unit said that the flame spread to several properties in a nearby village and efforts were being made to rescue trapped residents.
No deaths were reported but at least 112 people were being treated in nearby hospitals for burns, respiratory problems and other injuries, authorities said.
According to The Strait Times, a Singaporean broadsheet, 63 were taken to three local hospitals with 49 others receiving treatment at a makeshift medical base at a nearby Hindu temple.
WATCH: Massive explosion at gas pipeline near Malaysia's capital pic.twitter.com/7BATt2L7sT
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The Malaysian government has also set up relief centres at two local mosques, national news agency Bernama reported.
Meanwhile, ambulances were seen rushing towards the area of the fire, which had been sealed off by authorities.
Firefighters reportedly rescued seven victims, including two pensioners.
Lee Weng Ken, who suffered burns to his left leg, was shocked when the ceiling of his house collapsed and crushed his car parked in the compound of the house.
"I rushed out of my house but fell and suffered burns due to the heat from the blaze near my house," he told Bernama.
Another victim, who only wanted to be known as Andy, ran out of his home with his children when they felt tremors and saw the raging fire about 100 metres away.
"I could only take the car out,” he said. “My 18-year-old daughter injured her foot when she fell while climbing the fence due to the heat.”
The inferno happened during a public holiday as Muslims, who are the majority in Malaysia, celebrate the second day of Eid.
Putra Heights, a thriving township known for its diverse range of residential properties, including apartments and terraced houses, is home to more than 49,000 residents and is located around 20 miles southwest of Kuala Lumpur city center.
