The Unsung Hero Of Putra Heights Gas Pipeline Blast Uncle Kentang And His Ambulance Team

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AS a leader of our ambulance team, I am worried. I am an old man (62-years-old).
I think of many consequences. Houses had started burning around us, But I saw my Bomba cikgu. He gave me a thumbs-up.
That worked like magic. I became more courageous because my SiFu is in the arena. No words. Just a thumbs-up. And it was a real morale booster.
A high-ranking officer although small size, he still moved with agility around the row of houses.
The fire was real and very near us. We can feel the scorching heat. The young and small size officer told his men to put on Baju Api and to bring along BA (breathing apparatus) in case they needed it.
As depicted by the main image, a fireman facing breathing difficulty was given help on scene.
We were there waiting to evacuate 35 residents, six of whom were children. Some were without shoes. There were also many pets, mostly dogs.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim visited the tragedy site yesterday (April 1)I rushed one to Hospital Serdang. She had burnt wounds and her soles were bloodied. Her hands and both her legs were burned by the gas pipeline fire.
We were clueless as to where our guts came from as we were dead worried of gas tanks inside the houses. We saw cars melt down everywhere. Even playground equipment had melted down. Trees were scorched.
Think of own safety first
I quickly instructed my team to evacuate everyone. Our four ambulances were packed to the brim.
Only one ambulance was used to ferry dogs and cats. We don’t wish to get embroiled in purification or cleansing controversy later in case some people toss in the issue of our ambulance being used to transport pets.
The policeman on duty, DSP Tuan Tan – although being small built – was a hero, too. He moved very quickly to ensure that every house occupant was evacuated or had already left their houses.
We shouted at each other to relay updates as the sound of the roaring fire was loud.
I told DSP Tan that the Bomba (fire brigade) had told me there were 35 residents that needed to be evacuated, of whom two were medical cases.
Luckily for us, Tuan Tan summoned a police truck to enter ground zero and that saved us a lot of time.
For me, that was the last moment I was there as I left to bring out an 80-year-old victim who complained of SOB (shortness of breath) along with her dog. Later, we were joined by her son and daughter-in-law who accompanied her to Hospital Cyberjaya.
Before I left, I reminded my team – “Always think of own safety first”.
I also wish to thank the Bomba Sukarela (Volunteer Fire and Rescue Force). I do not know from where they came from but they, too, went into ground zero to help douse houses that started to burn.

Worries, prayers, final advice
I fear for the safety of my team as I was worried of gushing wind which would blow the raging fire to our path.
Safety of the affected residents came next. Some were bare footed. I used words to calm them down. They look shocked and frightened. Some were red-eyed for I believe they were crying.
May everything be eased by God. To lose a home in this kind of disaster is truly unthinkable. May you all be strong in facing this disaster.
Many people take life for granted. A victim forgot where she placed her house keys and in panic, she was trapped (fortunately, she was later rescued by the Bomba).
PLACE YOUR HOUSE KEY AT A DESIGNATED PLACE. During fire, everything will be pitched black because of smoke. You must know where to grab your key even though you are blinded.
The Prime Minister’s wife Datin Seri Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (left) consoling one of the gas pipeline fire victims during her hospital visit yesterday (April 1)PLACE ALL YOUR IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS IN A FOLDER BEFORE KEEPING THEM IN A BAG. DO NOT PUT YOUR DOCUMENTS ONLY IN A FOLDER FOR IT IS HARD TO GRAB A FOLDER AND RUN WITH IT.
Always be prepared. Buy a fire blanket although you may not know when you need it. But once you need it, it can save you from burns.
Keep a burn kit in your home. Not only first aid box. Go and buy a burn kit. It is extremely painful if one has burn wounds. Be prepared.
Thanks God, nobody was killed in such a magnitude of fire. Three of the victims are in critical condition. Hopefully everyone will recover.
For me, I thank God for giving us the opportunity to serve and for giving us sheer guts to enter ground zero to help out. 
Social activist and philanthropist Kuan Chee Heng a.k.a. Uncle Kentang is the founder of Pertubuhan Amal Uncle Kentang Malaysia. The above first appeared in Kuan’s Facebook page (Chee Heng Kuan/Facebook).
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.
- Focus Malaysia.

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