Putra Heights: A private company has loaned more than 10 gas detectors to assist the authorities in conducting a thorough investigation into the gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya. A certified trainer for gas detection from MSA Safety, Nur Fadhilah Mohd Khalid, disclosed that the equipment includes eight Altair 4XR personal gas detectors and several Altair 5X multi-gas detectors.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, MSA Safety, an American manufacturer and supplier of safety equipment, has provided these devices to ensure the safe entry of authorities into the incident area. The Altair 5X multi-gas detector, equipped with a pump for direct gas sampling, can detect gas leaks within a 10 feet radius, making it suitable for both confined and open spaces. In contrast, the Altair 4XR operates in diffusion mode and alerts users if hazardous gases are detected, prompting immediate evacuation.

Nur Fadhilah noted that these detectors have been in use since 2008 and have been deployed in various disaster sites, including the Sungai Kim Kim pollution incident in Pasir Gudang, Johor, in March 2019. The devices’ capability to detect essential gases like oxygen, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulfide makes them a favored choice among industry leaders, including Petronas.

The gas pipeline fire, originating from a Petronas line, erupted at 8.10 am on Tuesday, with flames soaring over 30 metres high and temperatures reaching up to 1,000 degrees Celsius. The inferno took nearly eight hours to be fully extinguished, displacing 1,254 individuals from 308 families. In total, 87 homes were deemed uninhabitable, while 148 homes were damaged but found livable after inspections.