Victims Of Putra Heights Fire Not Ready To Return Home Yet

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The condition of homes left in disrepair following last Tuesday’s gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, has left some affected residents hesitant to return, despite being granted permission today.
One of the victims, Sarah Amira Ahmad Idris, 28, said she was representing her family to inspect their home on Jalan 1/3B after being informed that the electricity supply would be restored today.
"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," she told reporters at the scene.
‘Covered in ash’
Sarah said that 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, 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.
“It was slightly after 8am when I felt the front and back doors of my house shaking. My son, who was upstairs, shouted that there was a massive fire nearby and I immediately left the house with my two children and three cats,” she said.
Haslina was met while waiting for her turn to get on the police truck and return to her house to conduct an inventory inspection.
Earlier, Petaling district officer Huzunul Khaidil Mohammed said that the electricity supply to the 115 affected houses would be restored if their wiring was found to be in good condition.
He emphasised that only homes deemed safe would be allowed to be reoccupied.
Only one in intensive care
As of this morning, only one victim from the Putra Heights gas pipeline fire remains in intensive care at a hospital in Selangor.
Selangor health director Dr Ummi Kalthom Shamsudin confirmed that the patient is receiving treatment at Ampang Hospital.
She also said that three patients had been transferred from Cyberjaya Hospital to Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) and that Cyberjaya Hospital is no longer treating any victims of the incident.
The prime minister’s wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (left) during a visit to a victim of the Putra Heights gas pipeline fireCyberjaya Hospital director Dr Shahabuddin Ibrahim also confirmed that all fire victims previously warded at the facility have been discharged or transferred.
The April 1 fire, which broke out at 8.10am, caused widespread destruction within a 500m radius, damaging homes, vehicles, and other properties. The incident resulted in a crater approximately 9.8m deep and 21 by 24m in size.
As of 3pm yesterday, the Health Ministry reported that 86 individuals were still receiving treatment at government facilities, with another 46 at private healthcare centres.
Hundreds of residents who lost their homes remain at temporary relief centres, while dozens with burn injuries continue to receive medical care.
- Bernama

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