PUTRA HEIGHTS FIRE: PREGNANT WOMAN GRATEFUL HUSBAND INSISTED ON RETURNING TO HOMETOWN

By Vikneswaran Raman

KUALA LUMPUR, April 10 (Bernama) -- Heavily pregnant Nur Izzati Misnam is thankful her husband insisted they return to his hometown a day before the gas pipeline explosion and fire incident in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, which damaged nearly 50 per cent of the house they were living in.

Nur Izzati, 30, said she initially refused to return to her husband Faizul Khairi Mat Sarji’s hometown in Taiping, Perak, as she is nine months pregnant and could go into labour at any time.

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“I’m very grateful that my husband, who is a policeman, persuaded me to go back to visit his parents’ graves. Otherwise, I can’t imagine how I would’ve saved myself or run to safety, being heavily pregnant and with a young child.

“We left on the night of the first day of raya and arrived early on the second day. We were shocked when we saw news about the incident and wanted to rush back, but my husband told me to wait because we would not be allowed to enter the area,” she told Bernama when met at Putra Heights Mosque today.

For now, Nur Izzati and her family are staying at a nearby hotel with assistance from a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

“At first, we thought only 30 per cent of the house was damaged, but after checking again, we found that it was unlivable. The roof and ceiling were damaged, and when it rains, muddy water enters the house. Electrical appliances and other belongings were also destroyed in the incident. 

“We plan to repair the house first using government aid because it may take longer to wait for assistance from the parties involved. I hope the government can speed up the repair work so we can move back soon. I could give birth any day now and will begin my confinement period, so it’s more comfortable to be at home,” she said.

She added that she was also thankful for having brought along her delivery essentials, including items for the baby, when they returned to Taiping, sparing them from being destroyed in the incident.

As for finding a new rental home, she said she preferred it to be somewhere near Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru so that her two older children can still cycle to school like before.

Nur Izzati said her family has received aid from the government and other parties quickly and efficiently, with updates disseminated through WhatsApp and via the village chief.

The gas pipeline fire that broke out at 8.10 am on April 1 saw flames soaring over 30 metres high, with temperatures exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius that took nearly eight hours to be fully extinguished.

-- BERNAMA