PUTRA HEIGHTS FIRE VICTIMS BEGIN RECEIVING TEMPORARY VEHICLES TODAY

KUALA LUMPUR, April 4 (Bernama) -- Seventy-two hours after the gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, some victims have begun receiving temporary replacement vehicles after theirs were destroyed in the incident on Tuesday.

Chery Malaysia has handed over 25 sports utility vehicles (SUVs) out of the 50 promised earlier to the first 25 applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.

The handover ceremony, held in the compound of the temporary relief centre at Putra Heights Mosque this morning, was attended by Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, and Selangor Investment, Trade and Mobility Committee chairman Ng Sze Han.

In addition, Chery Malaysia provided RM100 worth of fuel for each vehicle borrower and donated RM50,000 to the management of the mosque to help cover utility costs while it is being used as a relief centre.

Amirudin later told a press conference that the Selangor Housing and Property Board (LPHS) had agreed to offer more than 100 temporary housing units for the fire victims.

He said the houses included in Kota Warisan, Sepang, while the other locations will be announced through the Selangor SMART Sewa scheme. 

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Works (KKR) and Co-opbank Pertama (CBP) have pledged their support to the victims by offering assistance tailored to their needs.

As of 8 am, a total of 379 victims from 97 families, comprising 260 adults, including 37 senior citizens and 18 persons with disabilities, 113 children and six infants, remain at the Putra Heights Mosque hall.

Police personnel and enforcement officers from the Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) continue to strictly control access to Jalan Putra Harmoni, Putra Heights, allowing only authorised personnel from relevant agencies such as the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, the Public Works Department, and the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) to enter the area.

Additionally, fire victims are once again being allowed to return to their homes in stages to retrieve essential items and important documents, escorted by security personnel.

Yesterday, Amirudin said the recovery process is being carried out in stages following the completion of safety assessments.

A total of 85 houses have been declared safe and their residents were allowed to return home starting yesterday.

The massive fire, which broke out at 8.10 am, saw flames soaring high, producing intense heat and debris that destroyed rows of houses as well as property, including more than 300 vehicles

-- BERNAMA