Massive pipeline blaze injures more than 100

A massive fire caused by a gas pipeline leak forced people from their homes and injured more than 100 during Eid celebrations near Malaysia's capital yesterday, fire officials said.

The inferno, visible kilometers away, was caused by "a gas pipeline leak stretching approximately 500 meters," said fire officials in Selangor state near Kuala Lumpur. The flames were 20 stories high at one point.

The valve to the affected pipeline belonging to state-run oil firm Petronas has been shut off, fire officials said.

While the early morning blaze was coming under control in the afternoon, more than 100 people were injured, the fire department said. About 60 of the injured were hospitalized.

No deaths were reported but about 50 houses were affected by the blaze, the fire department added.

Residents were enjoying a public holiday for Eid celebrations in Muslim-majority Malaysia when they were forced to flee the suburban area.

Nizam Mohamad Asnizam, 49, who lives 100m from the site of the fire, fled from his house with his family in his car.

"When I woke up, I saw the fire raging, with an extraordinary sound. I have never experienced a fire with this kind of sound. The sound was terrifying. It felt like a jet engine was next to me," he said.

"Stepping on the floor was like stepping on a hot wok. The heat was like putting your head in an oven, it felt like I was burning."

Dashcam footage shared online showed a column of fire from what appears to be an explosion, creating a massive fireball that shot into the sky.

A temporary relief center had been set up at a nearby mosque.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, ASSOCIATED PRESS