At roughly 8am on Tuesday, a Petronas gas pipeline leak in the township of Putra Heights in Subang Jaya, Selangor culminated in an explosion and a massive fire. This incident coincided with the morning of the second day of Aidilfitri celebrations in Malaysia.
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The flames reached 20 stories high at one point and could be seen from several kilometres away, with residents reporting that they felt tremors around the time of the explosion.
Firefighters arrived at the scene at about 8.22am after the Selangor Fire and Rescue Department received a distress call regarding the incident. They managed to extinguish the flames by 3.45pm, well over seven hours after it began, and it left an enormous crater in its wake.
145 people were injured during the incident, and have been receiving treatment in various hospitals. A majority of these victims are recovering from second- and third-degree burns.
Residents in the surrounding area had been evacuated as a precautionary measure. Oil and gas company Petronas had also shut off the valve of the burning pipeline to isolate the event.
The Fire and Rescue Department, alongside Petronas, are in the midst of inspections to identify the true cause of the fire.
“It will take some time to determine the cause. Let there be a thorough investigation. Our priority now is safety. It looks under control so far,” said Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Dealing With the Aftermath
235 premises, including business and residential properties, and hundreds of vehicles had been affected by the fire.
On-site assessments are being conducted by various public agencies to evaluate whether it would be safe for residents to return to their homes, and to determine the extent of the damage done.
However, for the 115 homes which were identified to be less affected by the pipeline fire, their owners are already being allowed to return to them in phases. The first phase comprised 41 homeowners from Jalan 1/3A, who were scheduled to re-enter their homes from 9.30am on Thursday for the purpose of electrical wiring inspections.
In the meantime, other evacuees will continue sheltering at temporary evacuation centres, namely the Putra Heights Mosque and the Subang Jaya City Council Multipurpose Hall, possibly for at least another week.
Those affected will also be provided financial assistance. Anwar had already announced an immediate aid of RM5,000 (US$1127) to those whose homes had been demolished by the fire, with another RM2,500 pledged to over 100 owners whose residences were partly destroyed.
“The ministry is ready to engage with all stakeholders, including the Selangor state government and Petronas, to address housing matters,” said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming. “Our priority is to ensure affected families receive the necessary support in repairing or completely rebuilding their homes.”
According to Anwar, operations to restore the area could last a year.
Physical and Mental Traumas
When an industrial accident occurs in the middle of a residential area like Putra Heights, health becomes one of its biggest casualties.
Beyond burn injuries not just from direct fire exposure, but from high temperatures on heated surfaces, another problem to watch out for is smoke inhalation.
Breathing in the particles and gases present in smoke can cause lung damage, resulting in respiratory issues that range from coughing and shortness of breath, to chest pain and even respiratory failure.
This problem is further heightened when there are harmful chemicals in the smoke, such as in the case of the pipeline explosion, which had been transporting fossil gas.
“Fossil gas pipeline leaks can have both immediate and long-term health effects. For instance, methane, the primary component of fossil gas, can deplete oxygen levels in the environment, leading to health issues such as slurred speech, vision and memory impairment, nausea, vomiting, and headaches,” said a coalition of 21 non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including regional watchdog RimbaWatch and pro-climate group Greenpeace Malaysia.
It may take time for these pollutants to disperse from the air.
Moreover, when flames engulf homes, the emotional wounds of such an event often linger.
Some people lost everything in the fire, and while authorities had taken swift action to manage the incident and provide safe spaces for those affected to put up in, it doesn’t change the toll it may take on one’s mental wellbeing.
As evidenced earlier this year from the California wildfires, which consumed entire sections of residential communities, the overwhelming experience can cause people to exhibit symptoms such as hypervigilance, anxiety and depression.
The bleakness of this occurrence is further juxtaposed against the festive period of Aidilfitri, intended to be a time of joy and togetherness.
Looking Forward
With uncertainty looming, Mercy Malaysia is collaborating with the Social Welfare Department (JKM) to offer psychological support to those affected.
With the support of volunteers, local organisations and government agencies, efforts towards rebuilding the community will press on.
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External References
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- CNA. (2025, April 1). 145 injured in huge Selangor fire after leak at Petronas gas pipeline. Retrieved from: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/puchong-petronas-malaysia-fire-injured-hospitalised-5036801
- CNA. (2025, April 2). Selangor fire: Police seek contractor near pipeline blast amid allegations of digging on Petronas reserve land. Retrieved from: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-putra-heights-fire-petronas-pipeline-explosion-5039311
- Leong, H. M., & Azhar, D. (2025, April 2). Dozens in hospital in Malaysia after towering blaze on Petronas gas pipeline. Reuters. Retrieved from: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/huge-fire-petronas-gas-pipeline-malaysia-injures-33-2025-04-01/
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- Malay Mail. (2025, April 1). Fire still raging at gas pipeline in Putra Heights; seven rescued as Petronas shuts off valve to contain spread. Retrieved from: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/04/01/fire-still-raging-at-gas-pipeline-in-putra-heights-seven-rescued-as-petronas-shuts-off-valve-to-contain-spread/171539
- Malay Mail. (2025, April 1). Massive gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights sparks evacuations near residential area. Retrieved from: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/04/01/massive-gas-pipeline-fire-erupts-in-puchong-visible-from-kilometres-away/171524
- Malay Mail. (2025, April 2). Environmental NGOs push for answers after Putra Heights fire, urge shift to renewable energy. Retrieved from: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/04/02/environmental-ngos-push-for-answers-after-putra-heights-fire-urge-shift-to-renewable-energy/171684
- Malay Mail. (2025, April 2). Mercy Malaysia steps in with mental health care for Putra Heights gas fire victims. Retrieved from: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/04/02/mercy-malaysia-steps-in-with-mental-health-care-for-putra-heights-gas-fire-victims/171667
- Moniuszko, S., & Wholf, T. J. (2025, January 16). The mental health toll of wildfires can last longer than people realize, experts say. Here’s why. CBS News. Retrieved from: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/long-term-mental-health-wildfires/
- Muzamir, M. Y. (2025, April 2). Fire Dept identifying homes safe to enter after Putra Heights explosion. New Straits Times. Retrieved from: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2025/04/1196269/fire-dept-identifying-homes-safe-enter-after-putra-heights-explosion
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