Malaysian Authorities Begin Probe Into Gas Pipeline Fire

KUALA LUMPUR, April 2 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has begun a thorough investigation into the gas pipeline fire that broke out in the state of Selangor on Tuesday morning.

Twenty agencies, including the Royal Malaysia Police, the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), the Public Works Department, the local government authority and the district office arrived at the scene today to conduct investigations and assess the safety of the site.

Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department Director-General Nor Hisham Mohammad said his department had begun several major works, including assessing the damage to houses and vehicles affected by the gas pipe explosion.

Nor Hisham said the department is focussing on the structures of houses that were burnt or affected by the explosion to ensure the safety of the residents involved and that a team has been placed on standby to deal with any possibility of a fire incident.

The fire, which broke out at 8.10am had damaged 237 houses and 399 vehicles.

A total of 305 people were impacted by the incident, with many suffering burns or heat-related injuries.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced immediate aid of RM5,000 for homeowners whose properties were completely destroyed by the fire, and RM2,500 for over 100 homeowners whose homes sustained partial damage.

The blaze was successfully extinguished at 3.45 pm yesterday.

-- BERNAMA