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RESIDENTS of Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, have been left grappling with the aftermath of a devastating gas pipeline explosion that occurred last Tuesday, as many are hesitant to return to their homes despite being granted permission to do so today.
The early morning explosion caused widespread damage and left residents shaken, with some homes left in ruins and others in dire need of repair.
Bernama spoke to Sarah Amira Ahmad Idris, 28, who was inspecting her family’s home on Jalan 1/3B, described the scene as overwhelming.
"The moment I stepped inside, the smell was overpowering—it made me dizzy. Our Raya dishes were still on the table, and the food in the fridge was 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 now gone," she said.
Although her family’s home did not suffer major structural damage, the exterior was covered in thick ash from the fire, and the interior was in disarray.
Sarah expressed that they were mentally unprepared to return to the house under such conditions.
"With the infrastructure in ruins and access roads tightly controlled, my father decided we should continue staying at my brother’s rented house in USJ1, Subang Jaya, for the time being," she added.
Dr Haslina Rusdi, 52, shared a similar sentiment, explaining why she and her family chose not to return home yet.
“I’m supposed to return to work tomorrow, but because of this incident, I haven’t even thought about it yet.
“It was slightly after 8 am 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," Dr Haslina said.
She, along with other residents, were waiting their turn to board a police truck to return to her property for an inventory inspection. "The house is still in poor condition, and it’s just not safe to go back yet,” she added.
In the aftermath, Petaling District Officer Huzunul Khaidil Mohammed confirmed that electricity had been restored to the 115 affected homes, but only those deemed safe would be allowed to return. He stressed that homes would need to meet safety standards before being reoccupied.
For some families, the situation remains far more dire.
Ong Yaw Kern, 51, was at home with his three children when the explosion struck. "It was around 8 am. I was in my room, and my children were asleep. At first, I thought it was an earthquake. Then I heard a very loud explosion. Before I could react, a big rock from the blast landed in front of me," he recalled, his voice thick with emotion.
In the panic that followed, Yaw Kern's priority was ensuring the safety of his family.
"I told my kids to stay put in one corner of the house, grabbed the important documents I needed, and waited for the rocks to stop falling before moving them to a safer place," he said.
The family's home, which had been their sanctuary for a decade, was the closest to the explosion, situated just 50 metres from the blast site. Their house was completely destroyed, and they have estimated losses of RM2 million, which includes personal belongings and various equipment.
Despite the devastation, Yaw Kern expressed a sense of gratitude for their survival.
"It’s heartbreaking to have lost everything, but we are lucky to be alive. That is what matters most," he said. His wife, who was away on a hiking trip at the time of the explosion, was spared from the traumatic experience.
Currently staying in a budget hotel, Yaw Kern and his children are looking for a new place to live and begin rebuilding their lives.
His eldest son, Jing Ren, 15, who was also caught in the blast, described the harrowing moment.
"I felt a tremor and thought it was an earthquake. But when I looked out the window, the blaze was so bright I knew something was terribly wrong. We couldn’t leave the house because it was too hot outside. Once the flames died down, we climbed into our neighbour’s house and were evacuated safely," he recalled.
Jing Ren and his younger siblings, Jing Xuan, 13, and Jing Shen, 11, along with their father, were treated for second-degree burns on their legs. They received initial care from Health Ministry personnel at a local temple before being transported to Putrajaya Hospital for further treatment.
The fire, which was confirmed to have occurred at a main gas pipeline operated by Petronas Gas Bhd (PGB), began at approximately 8:10 am and took almost eight hours to fully extinguish.
It left a crater approximately 9.8 metres deep and 21 by 24 metres in size. Petronas confirmed the blaze was caused by the pipeline, and the company has since assured the public that investigations into the cause of the explosion are underway.
As the recovery process continues, residents like Yaw Kern remain hopeful for the future despite the overwhelming loss. "We will rebuild, and we will get through this," he said, determined to find a new sense of normalcy for his family after the tragedy.
A look at the residential areas around Putra Harmoni today by Bernama revealed some harrowing pictures of the aftermath of the gas pipeline explosion and fire – April 3, 2025
