Huge fire at Petronas gas pipeline in Malaysia injures 33

Afire at a gaspipeline operated by Malaysia state energy firmPetronasinjured 33 people on Tuesday on the outskirts of the capital Kuala Lumpur, authorities said.

Six of the injuredweresent to hospital, Selangor fire department director Wan Md Razali Wan Ismailtold broadcasterAstro Awani.

Operations to try to tackle the blaze are ongoing.

There are people trapped in houses in Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru and rescue efforts are ongoing, Selangor Disaster Management Committee chairman Mohd Najwan Halimi told state news agency Bernama.

Petronasin a statement said the pipeline had been isolated. The Selangor fire department said the blaze hasaffected homes.

Images carried by news outlets and footage shared on social media showed a massivefireand ahugeorange flame on the horizon with smoke billowing out.

A large flame rose from aleakin apipelinethat is about 500 m (1,640 feet) long in the town of Puchong, the department said in a statement, addingPetronashas closed the valve on the burningpipeline.

Thefiredepartment said it was still investigating the extent of thefirein the residential area.