A devastating gas pipeline fire erupted in Puchong, Selangor, on April 1, 2025, forcing residents to flee their homes as flames towered over the residential district near Kuala Lumpur.
The inferno, which coincided with Eid celebrations, sent shockwaves through the community, with terrified witnesses describing the fire as unlike anything they had ever experienced.
Nizam Mohamad Asnizam, 49, who lives just 100 meters from the explosion site, recounted the horrifying moments as he and his family escaped in their car.
“When I woke up, I saw the fire raging, with an extraordinary sound. I have never experienced a fire with this kind of sound. The sound was terrifying. It felt like a jet engine was next to me,” he told AFP.
He described the extreme heat that radiated through the ground. “Stepping on the floor was like stepping on a hot wok. The heat was like putting your head in an oven, it felt like I was burning.”
Dashcam footage circulating online showed a massive fireball shooting into the sky, presumably caused by an explosion.
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Other videos depicted thick smoke blanketing a residential area, while singed trees and melted cars illustrated the fire’s devastating impact.
Selangor Chief Minister Amirudin Shari announced in a Facebook post that a temporary relief center had been established at a nearby mosque to shelter affected residents.
He urged the public to stay away from the danger zone while authorities continued investigations and rescue operations.
As emergency crews work to assess the damage and determine the cause of the fire, residents remain on high alert, hoping for swift containment of the blaze.