KUALA LUMPUR, April 1 — A total of 112 people have been affected by the gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights this morning, with 63 requiring hospitalisation, police confirmed today.

Selangor deputy police chief DCP Mohd Zaini Abu Hassan said 37 homes in Taman Harmoni and 10 in the neighbouring Kampung Sungai Baru were affected by the blaze.

“A total of 49 people are currently at the Sri Maha Kaliamman Temple, which has been designated as a medical base. We thank the committee chairman for allowing the use of the temple for this purpose,” he told a press conference.

The massive gas pipeline fire caused widespread damage and prompted emergency evacuations.

The fire, which started in the morning, involved a leaking Petronas gas pipeline, with flames reportedly reaching up to 500 metres in length and visible from several kilometres away.

Following the incident, PLUS Malaysia Berhad closed routes between Seafield and Bandar Saujana Putra on the ELITE Highway to all vehicles, and announced that motorists heading south will be diverted to the Seafield toll plaza, before re-entering the highway through the Bandar Saujana Putra toll plaza.

“Meanwhile, road users heading north will be ordered to exit at the Bandar Saujana Putra toll plaza and re-enter through the Seafield toll plaza.

“At the same time, all entry routes to the ELITE Highway via the USJ and Putra Heights toll plazas will be closed,” it said in a statement.