Latest news with #gasfire
South China Morning Post
13-07-2025
- South China Morning Post
Turkmenistan's ‘Gateway to Hell' fire reduced after 50 years
Turkmenistan said last month it had significantly reduced a gas fire that has been raging for half a century at a site called the 'Gateway to Hell'. The fire has been burning in the Darvaza gas crater in the Karakum Desert since 1971. Soviet scientists accidentally drilled into an underground pocket of gas and lit it. Since then, the fire has been releasing a lot of methane. This gas contributes to climate change. Methane gas burns when fuel, oxygen and heat come together. These three things make up the fire triangle (see graphic). Officials said the fire – which has become the country's top tourist attraction – had been reduced threefold without specifying the time frame. 'Whereas before a huge glow from the blaze was visible from several kilometres away, hence the name 'Gateway to Hell', today only a faint source of combustion remains,' said Irina Luryeva, a director at the state-owned energy company Turkmengaz. Many wells have been drilled around the fire to capture methane, she said at an environmental conference in Ashgabat, the capital. Turkmenistan is one of the world's most closed countries. It is estimated to have the planet's fourth-largest gas reserves. The country is the biggest emitter of methane through gas leaks, according to the International Energy Agency. However, the nation's authorities deny this claim.
Malay Mail
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Selangor assembly to debate Putra Heights gas blaze, says Speaker
SHAH ALAM, July 7 — The Putra Heights gas pipeline fire incident in Subang Jaya will be debated in the current sitting of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly, said Speaker Lau Weng San. He said the debate would take place after a special briefing to be delivered by Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari or his representative, following the tabling of the Selangor State Islamic Religious Administration (Amendment) Enactment Bill 2025 during this sitting. 'There will be (a debate); as I mentioned earlier, after the Menteri Besar meets with all assemblymen to provide a briefing in the afternoon. '... after that, the assembly will reconvene, and all of us will take part in the debate. The government will provide clarification on the matters raised (in the debate),' he said during the Selangor State Assembly sitting today. Earlier, Dr Afif Bahardin (PN-Taman Medan) submitted an appeal on behalf of 20 individuals affected by the April 1 blaze and explosion, requesting that the matter be discussed in the current sitting. Lau then disallowed the matter from being tabled as it was seen to overlap with an application already filed by Amirudin to present the matter during this sitting. 'I wish to stress that the main reason the appeal was disallowed is because there is already an application from the Menteri Besar to discuss this issue under this agenda, which will allow for greater participation from all assemblymen,' he said. The Selangor State Assembly sitting began today and will run until July 11. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
S'gor to draft new legal framework to prevent repeat of gas pipeline fire
Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari said the development of a new policy framework is a necessary follow-up action to the fire which broke out on April 1. HULU LANGAT : The Selangor government will engage legal and technical experts to develop a new policy framework aimed at preventing incidents like the gas pipeline fire that occurred in Putra Heights three months ago. Menteri besar Amirudin Shari said the move was part of a learning process and a necessary follow-up action in response to the incident which took place on April 1. 'This is one of the terms of reference, or duties, of that special committee which will look into legal frameworks that can be enforced. 'The legal aspects could take various forms. It could be by-laws, new terms and conditions under the one-stop centre, state enactments, or even federal-level legislation.' Amirudin said this after witnessing the signing of two memoranda of cooperation with three strategic partners – Universiti Selangor, Selangor Technical Skills Development Centre, and Central Spectrum (M) Sdn Bhd – to strengthen efforts to develop the state's water industry ecosystem. Yesterday, Amirudin announced that Selangor would establish a special committee to assess the full investigation report on the incident and draft long-term preventive measures, including proposing new regulations to ensure that similar incidents do not recur. The committee will include representatives from the state and federal governments, Petronas, and the relevant technical agencies.
Free Malaysia Today
06-06-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
A sombre Aidiladha for Putra Heights gas inferno victims
The gas pipeline fire destroyed 81 houses, with more than 40% of the structures sustaining structural damage; 81 other houses were partially destroyed and 57 houses were affected but not burned. (EPA Images pic) SUBANG JAYA : As Muslims look forward to celebrating Hari Raya Aidiladha tomorrow, residents of Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru in Puchong must summon the strength to face the day, two months after their homes were destroyed in the gas pipeline inferno on April 2. Among them was Nasir Ab Hamid, 69, who said sheer will and determination have been his family's main source of strength in forging ahead despite now living with minimal means after losing most of their belongings in the fire. 'My family and I are grateful to be alive and to have received support from the community and various parties. However, I hope the recovery process, particularly the promised rebuilding of our home, can be expedited so that life can return to normal,' he said. Nasir's house remains without a roof, except for the garage, and the interior was devoid of furniture or electrical appliances, which had been destroyed in the intense heat of the fire. Nasir lives in the house alone, sleeping in the garage on a mattress he received from the temporary relief centre. 'Although I received financial assistance to rent a house, I feel more comfortable staying in my own home as I can also keep an eye on what's left of my belongings while my wife and four of our children occupy the rented house,' he said, expressing hope that the government would expedite the repair process for all victims' homes. Another resident, Ahmad Danial, 25, said that their lives are no longer the same, especially with the lingering trauma still deeply affecting the entire family. 'There are no major preparations (for Aidiladha). The house is still in ruins, making it difficult to gather comfortably with the family. We are relying on donations from local associations and neighbours,' he said, adding that he lost his job following the incident. Ahmad Kamarul Meskam, 42, expressed despair for not being able to gather with his siblings for Aidiladha after their mother's house was destroyed in the incident. He said before the fire, they lived in the same village. 'We have no plans to celebrate Aidiladha since we are now living in separate areas.,' he said, admitting that the tragedy has left a profound emotional impact. It is understood that the Kampung Sungai Baru Residents Association will hold a sacrificial ritual in conjunction with Aidiladha on Sunday on a plot of land in the village, thanks to donations of several cows and goats from an anonymous benefactor. The gas pipeline fire, which occurred at 8.10am, resulted in flames shooting up 30 metres high, with temperatures reaching 1,000 degrees Celsius. Firefighters took nearly eight hours to completely extinguish the fire. A total of 81 houses were destroyed, with more than 40% of the structures sustaining structural damage; 81 other houses were partially destroyed, 57 houses were affected but not burned, and 218 houses remained unaffected.
Khaleej Times
05-06-2025
- Science
- Khaleej Times
Turkmenistan reduces 50-year fire dubbed 'Gateway to Hell'
Turkmenistan said on Thursday it had significantly reduced a gas fire that has been raging for half a century at a site dubbed the "Gateway to Hell" . The fire has been burning in the Karakum desert since 1971, when Soviet scientists accidentally drilled into an underground pocket of gas and then decided to ignite it. The blaze has been spewing out massive quantities of methane, a gas that contributes to climate change, ever since. Officials said the fire -- which has become the reclusive country's top tourist attraction -- had been reduced three-fold, without specifying the time frame. "Whereas before a huge glow from the blaze was visible from several kilometres away, hence the name 'Gateway to Hell', today only a faint source of combustion remains," said Irina Luryeva, a director at state-owned energy company Turkmengaz. Numerous wells have been drilled around the fire to capture methane, she said at an environmental conference in the capital Ashgabat. Turkmenistan -- one of the world's most closed countries -- is estimated to have the world's fourth largest gas reserves. It is the world's biggest emitter of methane through gas leaks, according to the International Energy Agency -- a claim denied by the authorities.
