‘Don’t point fingers, let authorities investigate’, say victims of Putra Heights blaze

 

Tuesday’s gas pipeline fire at Putra Heights saw 87 houses destroyed and 148 others damaged. (Bernama pic)

SUBANG JAYA: 

Several victims of the gas pipeline fire at Putra Heights have urged all parties, including the public, to stop speculating about the incident.

Hamdan Mohamad, 54, from Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru, said the authorities should be given space to conduct a detailed investigation into Tuesday’s incident which destroyed or damaged hundreds of homes and vehicles.

Hamdan Mohamad.

“If the public has any evidence, they should hand it over to the authorities to investigate,” he told FMT.

“It’s better than speculating on the issue.”

Baharudin Yusoh, 66, said the public should not focus too much on speculation or unverified information, but direct their efforts towards helping the victims.

He also hoped that the authorities would conduct a transparent and thorough investigation to determine the cause of the incident, without protecting any parties involved.

Baharudin Yusoh.

“The party responsible must be held fully accountable,” said Baharudin, who is also from Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru.

“Many victims have lost their belongings and have become homeless.”

On Thursday, Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari said “it is not the time for debates” when dismissing calls for an emergency sitting of the state assembly to discuss the incident.

Amirudin said the investigation needed to be completed first.

The eight-hour fire, which broke out on Tuesday morning along Jalan Putra Harmoni, engulfed a 500m section of the gas pipeline, causing severe damage to homes and vehicles.

A total of 235 premises were affected, with 87 houses declared a “total loss” and deemed unfit for occupation, while 148 others can be occupied after repairs.

So far, 115 of the affected houses have been certified as safe by the fire and rescue department, and the residents of 85 homes were allowed to return on Thursday.

A total of 399 vehicles were affected, with 225 burnt and 174 damaged.

Some 630 victims from 157 families are staying at temporary relief shelters – at the Putra Heights mosque and the Subang Jaya City Council’s multipurpose hall – while another 624 victims from 151 families are staying with friends and relatives.

Yesterday, Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan said parts of the area were being dug to replace a sewage pipe days before the blaze, and an excavator was found buried in a crater left by the blast. - FMT