Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — A massive explosion rocked the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday morning after a gas pipeline operated by Malaysia’s state energy company, Petronas, caught fire. The incident occurred near residential areas in Selangor state and has led to the evacuation of nearby homes as emergency services continue their efforts to control the blaze. According to fire officials, at least 33 people sustained injuries, with six requiring hospitalisation. No fatalities have been reported so far. The explosion was attributed to a leak in a gas pipeline stretching approximately 500 metres (1,600 feet), as confirmed in a statement released by the Selangor Fire and Rescue Department.
 

Dramatic videos circulated on social media showed a fiery mushroom cloud rising high into the sky, followed by thick black smoke visible from kilometres away. The fire’s intensity has reportedly affected several homes, with some residents believed to be trapped inside. Authorities have not yet confirmed the total number of structures impacted. Emergency responders received a distress call at approximately 8:10 am, prompting the rapid deployment of multiple firefighting teams to the scene. “Dozens of firefighters were immediately rushed for rescue operations. The team identified a burst pipeline as the cause of the fire,” Selangor fire chief Wan Mohamad Razali Wan Ismail was quoted as saying by The Star newspaper.
 

The pipeline valve was shut off by Petronas shortly after the leak was detected, halting the flow of gas and allowing firefighting efforts to proceed. The energy giant has yet to release an official statement on the extent of the damage or potential environmental implications. The blast took place during Eid celebrations, adding to the chaos and distress experienced by local residents. Families preparing for the holiday were forced to flee their homes in panic as the explosion lit up the sky. “All of a sudden, we heard a loud bang and then total chaos,” a resident who lives just 200 metres (650 feet) from the fire told The Star. “We immediately left the house and soon saw other residents leaving too.”
 

The fire department has confirmed that operations are still underway to fully extinguish the fire and secure the area. As of now, evacuation orders remain in place for affected residential zones, with authorities urging residents to stay clear of the site until it is deemed safe. Petronas, Malaysia’s national oil and gas corporation, manages a vast network of pipelines across the country and the region. This incident raises concerns about infrastructure safety and emergency preparedness, particularly in densely populated areas. Investigations into the cause of the pipeline leak and subsequent explosion are ongoing. Officials have not ruled out structural failure or maintenance issues, and a full safety review is expected in the coming days. The Malaysian government has yet to release a formal statement, but local authorities and emergency services remain on high alert as cleanup and recovery efforts continue.