On the second day of Raya (Apr 1), residents at Putra Heights were shaken to their core when a leaked gas pipeline led to a massive explosion, sending stones flying up in the air and multiple houses destroyed in the process.
While some managed to salvage the little possessions they could from the fire, others weren’t so lucky, who found themselves homeless and penniless following the explosion.
Putra Heights gas explosion victim loses home to blaze
One such individual was Natrah Johar, who was hanging clothes outside her home when the explosion occurred 100m away.
She, her husband, and 7-month-old daughter fled their home and sought refuge at other people’s houses to seek respite from the intense heat.
Unfortunately, they lost their possessions and sustained injuries as a result of the explosion.
“My husband and I developed boils on our arms and calves from the heat. I lost sight of our house as we ran. Last night, I saw pictures on social media and realised the house I grew up in with my grandparents was gone.
Nothing is left. We lost everything. It is all destroyed. I did not manage to take anything, not even my handphone,” she told NST.
Natrah added the explosion has also left her family homeless as they do not own another house and are contemplating what to do next while they seek shelter at the temporary relief centre at the Putra Heights mosque.
‘I was unable to let the house go’
Another victim, 67-year-old Fabilah Yusof, expressed concern for her house which was rained with debris that landed on her house located 600m away.
She added she found it hard to evacuate from the house she had built and expanded with her husband since 1984.
“My son, Rizuwan, insisted that we leave to be safe. I am also diabetic and have high blood pressure.
“I had no choice but to give in, although I feared what would happen if the fire spread. I pray to God for my house to be spared and for my family to be safe,” she said.
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