Police Focus Investigation on Negligence and Criminality in Putra Heights Fire

Putra Heights: The police announced that their probe into the recent gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya would focus on elements of mischief and negligence. According to BERNAMA News Agency, Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan shared at a media conference this afternoon that 56 statements have been recorded so far from victims, the developer, contractors, and the main witness, a security guard at a shop near the area of the incident who was injured in the fire. The police have also received 20 dashcam recordings from social media and witnesses. Hussein confirmed that excavating work had been conducted near the area of the incident to replace sewerage pipes using a backhoe and an excavator, which stopped on March 30, two days before the explosion and fire occurred. He also noted that the preliminary technical investigation report on the cause of the explosion is expected in two weeks, with a full report due two weeks after that. The delay in the preliminary report is attributed to the instability of the original landscape structure caused by the explosion's impact. The Fire and Rescue Department stated that a gas leak alone could not have triggered the explosion, which required gas, air, and an ignition to occur. Hussein mentioned that the pipeline, built in 1991, is over 30 years old, with maintenance conducted by Petronas. Meanwhile, 46 out of 134 victims of the fire are still receiving treatment at hospitals and clinics. As of this evening, 394 people from 99 families are at the relief centre at Putra Heights Mosque, and 111 people from 28 families are at Camelia Putra Heights Hall. A total of 1,254 people from 308 families were affected, with 87 houses completely destroyed and 148 others damaged but potentially habitable after repairs. Currently, residents of less than 20 per cent of the damaged houses will be allowed to return home after a safety assessment by the Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ), Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), and electrical wiring contractors, according to Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad. Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari announced that the Selangor Housing and Property Board would offer over 100 temporary houses under the SMART Sewa Selangor scheme to the victims, allowing them to be rehomed within one to two weeks. Victims are also receiving aid, including vehicles from Chery Malaysia for a month, RM500 immediate aid for every Muslim head of household from the Selangor Zakat Board, school uniforms from Yayasan Islam Darul Ehsan (YIDE), and counselling through the Yayasan Kebajikan Negara initiative. The Digital Ministry is considering requests to replace damaged gadgets, including laptops, internet facilities, and mobile phones, and has provided 500 power banks from the Malaysian Digital Economic Corporation.