ALBAWABA- A massive fire erupted early Tuesday in Malaysia after a gas pipeline operated by state energy giant Petronas burst, injuring over 100 people and damaging nearly 200 homes.
The blaze, which broke out in the town of Puchong near Kuala Lumpur, sent flames and debris soaring into the sky, forcing evacuations and leaving hundreds affected.
Authorities confirmed that at least 305 people were impacted by the disaster. While no fatalities were reported, 145 people were hospitalized for burns, respiratory issues, and other injuries, with 41 later discharged.
The towering inferno, visible from miles away, shattered windows and spread panic across nearby neighborhoods.
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim assured that both the government and Petronas would take full responsibility for restoring the affected areas, a process that could take up to a year. He emphasized that the cause of the fire remains under investigation, but vowed financial aid for those displaced.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes, with one resident, Raja Hilmy Bin Raja Idris, recalling how flaming debris rained down as the explosion rocked the area.
"The fire was raging high, and suddenly, burning debris started falling all over the place—that's when we knew something terrible had happened," he said.
By mid-afternoon, authorities had managed to extinguish the fire, but the devastation left behind continues to disrupt lives.
