A recent gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights has left many residents devastated, with their homes destroyed and lives turned upside down.
57-year-old Abdul Ghani Abdul Aziz was among those directly affected, though he was away visiting his family in Kuala Terengganu when the blast occurred.
His house, located just 50-100 metres from the explosion site, was one of many that suffered severe damage.
Without hesitation, Abdul Ghani immediately set off on a long journey to return home. Leaving Kuala Terengganu at around 2pm, he arrived in Putra Heights at 10.30pm, determined to rescue his eight cats who had been left behind.
Thanks to his quick action, Abdul Ghani successfully rescued all of his cats, and they are now safe.
He, along with his family and the cats, are currently staying at a Temporary Evacuation Centre (PPS) at the Subang Jaya City Council’s multi-purpose hall, Dewan Camelia.
“My neighbourhood is no longer livable,” Abdul Ghani shared.
The physical damage is obvious, but the emotional impact is something that can’t be measured.”
Neighbourhood resembling a war zone
The blast had such a significant impact that Abdul Ghani described his neighbourhood as looking like a war zone.
The scale of destruction was overwhelming, with homes reduced to rubble and streets scorched by the heat.
The explosion created a massive blast radius. It felt like a war zone, with everything around me either destroyed or severely damaged.”
His neighbours, too, faced harrowing experiences as they scrambled to escape the chaos.
One neighbour fled with nothing but the clothes on their back, while another, from behind Abdul Ghani’s house, managed to escape with only a kain pelikat. Tragically, his wife and daughter suffered burns during their escape.
A call for compensation and support
Abdul Ghani is now urging authorities and responsible parties to provide compensation for those affected.
This was a clear case of negligence, and those responsible must come forward to help the victims rebuild their lives,” he said.
He also stressed the need for psychological support for survivors.
“The physical injuries may heal, but the emotional scars will remain. For children, seeing themselves in the mirror with burn scars or trauma can lead to emotional distress and depression,” he explained.
Devastation at home
Abdul Ghani’s own home wasn’t spared from the devastation.
The upper floor of my house was completely destroyed, and while the lower floor is still standing, but it’s heavily damaged,” he recalled.
He even shared before-and-after photos of his child’s room, revealing the full extent of the destruction caused by the explosion.
While the physical damage can eventually be repaired, the emotional toll on residents, especially children, will take much longer to heal.
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