Explosion in Subang Jaya, four hurt

A powerful explosion in the Empire Gallery shopping complex in Subang Jaya early this morning ripped through at least three floors of the building, injuring four people.

No fatalities have been reported so far.

Those injured include two security guards. However, their injuries are said to be minor.

Hundreds of people, most of who were staying in a boutique hotel on the lower ground floor - where the explosion occurred - have been evacuated.

According to an initial report in English-language daily Star, the incident was due to a gas tank exploding in a coffee outlet at 3.45am.

The daily's Metro section, in its tweet, later denied that the explosion occurred at the company's premises, as no gas tank is used in any of its outlets.

Subang Jaya state assemblyperson Hannah Yeoh, who was at the scene early this morning, tweeted that the cause has yet to be determined and that inspections are in progress.

Damage to the lower floors of the building is said to include shattered glass and cracks in the floor. Several cars were also damaged.

The bang could be heard about 1.5km away, according to a SS18 resident, who also reported traffic congestion in the vicinity about 8.45am.

The police have cordoned off the building, and many people were seen waiting outside.

A SS17 resident said his house shook with the impact of the explosion. 

Police have directed residents of apartments in the vicinity to vacate the premises as a precaution.

Osman Abdullah, head of the Selangor Fire and Rescue Services Department, said personnel responding to an emergency call had reached the scene about 3.50am.

"We believe there was an explosion, which affected the gas pipe and caused part of the building to catch fire," he said.

He confirmed witness reports that two Nepalese guards had been trapped in the basement before being rescued.

"Two members of the public were also saved, and received medical treatment for minor injuries."

Subang Jaya district police head Zainal Rashid Abu Bakar said a forensics team from Gombak, with help from his police personnel, are trying to trace the source of the blast and that this may take time.

Witness accounts

An eyewitness, Daryl Chua, 27, said he was walking with his girlfriend at 3.45am to the autopay machine to pay his parking ticket.

He said he heard a loud sound "like a bomb exploding". The impact sent him sprawling on the ground, while his companion was knocked unconscious.

"I could not move for about three minutes. I saw others, including security guards, running off to save themselves.

"I carried my girlfriend out of the building. Luckily she was not seriously injured. My arms were slightly injured. But my car is badly damaged."

On his blog, Gavin Tan posted that he had the shock of his life when he heard the explosion, which "shook my entire house" in SS17.

"In fact the blast was so powerful, my entire neighborhood was affected. Car alarms are wailing and dogs are barking.

"Thinking it could be freak thunder, I quickly peeked through my window only to see a peaceful sight.

"I decided to take a look around the neighbourhood and it was then I found out that the explosion (had come) from Empire Shopping Gallery."

According to a friend on Twitter, he said, the explosion could even be heard in SS14.

"I reached the scene at about 4am. At the time, police were already securing the area and putting up barriers. More police cars and fire engines arrived.

"Nobody had any idea of what had happened. Some speculated that the ground floor parking lot had collapsed.

"As I made my way closer, I could clearly see that an explosion had blasted through part of the building.

"... the explosion caused extensive damage to the whole left wing ... CIMB, Serai (a restaurant), Starbucks and the Coach outlet are badly damaged."

The glass panel of the front door of Wisma Consplant had shattered, as this faces the shopping mall, said Tan, who also spoke to some of those affected.

"Nicole, a resident of Subang SOHO, reported that she was awake and was on the way to the washroom when she heard the explosion.

"She quickly made her way out of her fifth-floor unit, taking the stairs. She left behind everything including her wallet and mobile phone."

Another resident, only named as Weed, was in his 10th floor unit watching the UEFA Champions League between Manchester United and Basel.

"I was watching the match when I heard and felt the explosion. I quickly held my TV and said ‘whoa'".

Other residents were still in their units only to be woken by fire and rescue services personnel knocking on the door, Tan added.

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