Out of commission: The burnt out EPF building along Jalan Gasing. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
PETALING JAYA: The police have not discovered any criminal element in connection with the fire at the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) building in Jalan Gasing.
“So far, we have not found any sign of foul play. We are still waiting for the forensic report from the Fire and Rescue Department. We will be able to take further action once the report is completed,” said Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Mohamad Fakhrudin Abdul Hamid.
Selangor Fire and Rescue Department deputy director Wan Md Razali Wan Ismail has confirmed that the forensic team was conducting investigations.
“The process is not expected to take long and we will issue an update once we have concluded the probe,” he said.
It was reported that the EPF building was up in flames for a second time in five years, possibly due to flammable panels on the building’s exterior.
The fire involved the fourth and fifth floors of the now unoccupied building, which is under renovation before it is converted to a senior living facility.
Smoke billowed from the building, causing a massive jam on the Federal Highway as many slowed down to gawk.
Firemen, who rushed to the scene, closed the slip road leading from the highway to Jalan Gasing, which caused further jams.
The firemen managed to put out the fire in 10 minutes.
The building has now been sealed to ascertain the cause of the blaze, said Selangor Fire and Rescue Department assistant director (operations) Hafisham Mohd Noor.
“Renovations are being carried out and the cladding is being removed. However, the fire was likely due to internal work,” he said.
A total of 68 personnel, including firefighters, police, Tenaga Nasional Bhd and Petaling Jaya City Council employees, were involved in the operation.
EPF said it would investigate.
