Subang Jaya, Malaysia — Drone footage released by authorities has laid bare the catastrophic aftermath of Tuesday’s gas pipeline explosion and fire along Jalan Putra Harmoni in Putra Heights. The aerial visuals paint a grim picture: a massive, waterlogged crater surrounded by shattered homes, excavation machinery digging through debris, and roofs ripped clean off houses near the blast’s epicenter.
The haunting footage shows emergency crews scrambling to drain stagnant water from the crater while excavators tear into the unstable ground. Rows of residential buildings nearby bear the scars of destruction—some reduced to skeletal frames, others with walls cracked open like eggshells. Authorities confirmed the blast zone remains perilously unstable, delaying critical investigations into what triggered the disaster.
Depth of Danger Revealed
Selangor Police Chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan confirmed excavation work had resumed at the site, revealing newly installed sewage pipes just 2.1 meters below ground level—far shallower than Petronas’ gas pipelines, which lie between six to seven meters deep. “We’re working with Petronas, JKR, and JUPEM to stabilize the area,” he said, referencing the collaboration with Malaysia’s public works and surveying departments.
Yet, frustration simmers among residents. Of 439 homes assessed, 219 suffered damage—87 with over 20% structural loss. “How could this happen?” asked one local, whose roof vanished in the blast. “We’re lucky no one died, but our lives are shattered.”
Race Against Time and Nature
Heavy rains have turned the blast site into a murky pool, complicating recovery efforts. Teams from TNB and Air Selangor work round-the-clock to restore utilities, while safety officers from JKKP monitor risks of secondary collapses. Meanwhile, displaced families camp in temporary shelters, clutching hope for answers—and accountability.
The human cost remains stark. A child’s bicycle lies half-buried in mud near the crater, a stark reminder of lives upended. Authorities urge patience, but whispers of negligence grow louder. As one firefighter muttered, “This wasn’t just bad luck—it’s a wake-up call.”
Investigations into the explosion’s cause await site stabilization. For now, Putra Heights stands as a symbol of fragility—where buried pipes and shallow decisions ignited a community’s worst fears.
