SHAH ALAM, April 7 — Total losses and property damage after the gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, on April 1 is estimated at RM65.4 million.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said this is based on observations made by the technical team headed by the Fire and Rescue Department on 437 houses identified to have been affected by the fire.
He said they found 81 houses were razed to the ground, with structural damage exceeding 40 per cent; 81 partially destroyed; 57 affected but not burned; and 218 houses unaffected.
“Prompt action by security teams, like the fire department, and help by members of the public and residents, saw the estimated value of property saved in this incident at RM285.9 million.
“The evaluation on the destruction of public infrastructure and nearby areas is ongoing,” he told a media conference at the State Secretariat Building here today.
Amirudin added that they have also extended the inspection radius from the initial 290sqm to 325sqm.
“As of today, 151 houses have been declared safe and owners and tenants of these homes were allowed to return, but some houses may have minor damage, for which owners will have to bear repair costs,” he said.
Amirudin also announced the appointment of Deputy State Secretary (Development) Datuk Johary Anuar, who is also State Economic Planning Unit director, to oversee the recovery phase, including methods of repairing damaged houses, infrastructure, and public facilities.
Meanwhile, Amirudin said only 20 per cent of morning-session students affected by the fire showed up to use transport provided by the state government to ferry them to school.
“Maybe the other (children) are still traumatised. The State Education Department will send officers and those helping affected students at relief centres to continue with their education,” he said.
Amirudin also said Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated), or MBI, will contribute RM500 to each of the 265 students involved in the fire.
He previously announced that the state government, in collaboration with Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, would provide five vans to transport children involved in the Putra Heights blaze to 34 schools.
The Petronas gas pipeline fire, which shocked the nation early on April 1, saw flames soaring over 30m high, reaching temperatures of up to 1,000°C. It took nearly eight hours to extinguish.
— Bernama
