Putra Heights inferno: Cops probing 2 construction firms

Summary

• Police confirm two construction companies are among those being scrutinised by the authorities over yesterday’s gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, Selangor.

• This follows allegations that construction works near the pipeline had caused the incident.

• The number of victims and properties determined to have been affected by the fire has also increased.

Police are investigating two construction companies over yesterday’s disastrous gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, which saw over 100 victims injured and many others displaced.

Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan, when contacted, confirmed the developer and its main contractor are among those being scrutinised by authorities.

“(They are) among those under (our) scope of investigation,” he said in a brief text message.

Malaysiakini contacted Hussein (above) this morning to check if the companies are among those being investigated, as authorities are trying to establish what caused the Petronas gas pipeline to leak and catch fire.

Since the pipeline fire broke out yesterday morning, allegations spread on social media that it had to do with earthworks related to a construction project nearby.

Many social media users also shared visuals of the purported construction works, including a photo showing heavy machinery allegedly encroaching into land reserved for the pipeline.

The names of the companies are being withheld pending their comments. Malaysiakini has reached out to both companies to seek their response.

READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | What we know so far about the Putra Heights inferno

Meanwhile, according to Subang Jaya district police chief Wan Azlan Wan Mamat, who spoke to reporters at the scene this morning, the number of victims injured in the incident has increased to 111.

He said 80 of the victims are being treated at government hospitals in Putrajaya, Cyberjaya, and Serdang, while 31 others are at private facilities.

Wan Azlan said the figure had gone up from yesterday because several victims who were earlier evacuated to temporary shelters had complained of breathing difficulties and were sent for treatment.

The number of premises and vehicles affected has also increased to 235 and 399, respectively, including 87 houses and 225 vehicles that caught fire during the incident.

‘Come forward with evidence’

Meanwhile, Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari urged the public with evidence of wrongdoings in connection with yesterday’s fire incident to come forward and provide the information to the police.

By doing so, he said, they could assist the authorities in their investigation to determine the cause of the gas pipeline leak and fire.

"The state government, including the local authority, is extending its full cooperation in this investigation.

“The priority of the state and federal governments is the safety, welfare and comfort of the affected residents," Bernama reported him as saying today.

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KINIGUIDE | What we know so far about the Putra Heights inferno