Exactly a year after the Putra Heights gas explosion, the impact of the disaster has not ended for those who lived through it.

While the incident may be nothing more than an afterthought for some amid the hustle and bustle of daily life, affected residents continue to navigate the physical, emotional, and financial scars of that day. For many, these effects will last a lifetime.

The following testimonies, shared anonymously with consent, offer a glimpse into what the impacted community is still going through in the aftermath.

A quiet battle

For one affected resident, the months following the explosion have been defined by a long and painful road to recovery.

After sustaining third-degree burns, they underwent 14 surgeries under full anaesthesia within just two months. It represents an experience they never imagined facing in a lifetime.

“Each journey into the operating theatre became a quiet battle. It tested my strength, my courage, and a depth of faith I never knew I carried within me.”

Recovery, for many survivors, is not a single moment of healing. It is an ongoing process that continues to demand resilience, patience, and strength.

We ran barefoot while our skin burned

For another affected resident, the memory of the explosion is inseparable from the chaos and fear of trying to escape. As the fire spread, calls for help went unanswered.

“I dialed emergency at least three times. All the operator did was take my name and address.”

While their home was beginning to catch fire, they had no choice but to run.

“We made a run for it despite the excruciating heat. There was no time to stop. We ran barefoot in pain, while our skin burned.”

They eventually reached emergency responders, but not before sustaining severe injuries, including burns to their feet, legs, arms, and shoulders.

Ongoing treatments, including steroid injections, laser procedures, and therapy, continues to be a part of daily life. Beyond the physical scars are deeper losses, including the loss of home, safety, and any sense of normalcy.

“We continue to suffer. The scars, the trauma, and the pain are still with us. We are still grieving the loss of our home and our beloved pets.”

One year later, questions remain

These stories reflect a broader reality shared by many of the affected residents. The Putra Heights explosion did not end when the fires were extinguished. And the road ahead for physical, mental, emotional, and even economic recovery stretches far into the distance as uncertainty continues to linger in the thoughts of those affected.

Residents continue to ask:

  • If enough was done to prevent the incident?
  • If emergency response systems and proper grievance mechanisms were adequate?; and
  • If affected communities have received the support, transparency, and accountability they truly deserve?

These questions reflect broader concerns about transparency and accountability, particularly when communities are left without clear information, support, or answers in the aftermath of such incidents. For many residents, understanding what happened and what will change moving foward remains critical.

Moving forward

These testimonies also serve as a reminder that their path toward healing is not just about rebuilding structures. It is also about reparations, restoring trust, ensuring safety, and addressing the long-term needs of affected communities.

As conversations continue around accountability and next steps, the voices of those directly impacted must remain at its centre. For many residents, this is not a story of the past. It is something they are still living through, every single day.