SHAH ALAM — 85 households in Taman Harmoni will be allowed to re-occupy their homes tonight after the premises passed safety checks, following the gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights on Monday.
Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said safety checks had been completed by the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) and Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) on these homes.
“Utilities and water have been reconnected for these ones that are deemed safe,” Amirudin said at a press conference at the Selangor state assembly building today.
Amirudin added that out of the 235 properties damaged by the fire on April 1, 105 have been declared safe by JBPM as of today.
However, houses in Kg Kuala Sg Baru are not safe for habitation due to the level of damage and will need more time for repairs, he said.
Earlier, authorities allowed the owners of some houses in Putra Heights affected by the gas pipeline fire to enter their residences for inspection.
However, a few of them told Bernama they were too traumatised to consider returning upon seeing the state of their homes.
Sarah Amira Ahmad Idris, 28, who went for her family to inspect their house on Jalan 1/3B said she now feels hesitant about returning to stay.
“The moment I stepped inside, the smell was overwhelming—it made me dizzy. Our Raya dishes were still on the table, and the food in the fridge had spoiled after being without electricity for two days.
“We had stocked up on ingredients for an open house this weekend, but all those plans are gone now,” Bernama reported her saying.
Sarah said while her family’s home did not suffer major damage, the exterior was covered in fire ash, and the interior was in disarray, leaving them mentally unprepared to return.
“With the infrastructure in ruins and access roads tightly controlled, my father decided that we should continue staying at my brother’s rented house in USJ1, Subang Jaya, for the time being,” she said.
Another resident, Dr Haslina Rusdi, 52, shared that she and her family also chose not to return home yet due to the condition of the house.
“I am supposed to return to work tomorrow, but because of this incident, I haven’t even thought about it yet,” said Haslina, who left her house with her two children and three cats after being warned by her son who was upstairs and saw the massive fire nearby.
The huge inferno from a burst underground gas pipe on the morning of April 1 took about eight hours before it died out.
It displaced around 600 people and damaged over 230 properties and 399 vehicles with its intense heat. Over 100 people were hospitalised for burns and smoke inhalation. No deaths have been reported.
Today, houses that passed safety checks by the authorities were opened to their owners for inspection.
The process was carried out in phases, beginning with 41 homeowners on Jalan 1/3A, who were allowed to enter their homes from 9.30am. The second and third phases will followed accordingly.
The residents entered their homes accompanied by officers from security agencies, as well as from Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), who are assisting in coordinating the inspection process.
Petaling district officer Huzunul Khaidil Mohammed said the inventory inspection is crucial to ensure the homes are safe before residents are allowed to re-occupy their homes. — April 3, 2025