The gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights on April 1, 2025 marked a tragedy that destroyed many houses and vehicles, leaving many without a home, injured and/or hospitalised. Videos and images of the huge explosion and the aftermath of it all are still being circulated, but did you know there was an even bigger explosion that took place in Malaysia in 1991?
The Bright Sparklers fireworks disaster, also known as the Hiroshima of Sungai Buloh
Around 3:45PM on May 7, 1991, less than a month after the Aidilfitri celebration, a loud and massive explosion from Bright Sparklers, a firecracker factory, shocked residents in Sungai Buloh. Unlike the recent Putra Heights gas pipeline fire, the explosion that happened nearly 34 years ago killed 26 people, including a chemist from Hong Kong who worked in the factory.
Over 100 victims were also injured. Tragically, some bodies were only discovered days after the explosion in a horrifying manner during the cleaning work.
The tragedy was also dubbed the ‘Hiroshima of Sungai Buloh’ as the explosion was likened to the nuclear war in Hiroshima, Japan, during World War II.
200 tons of burning sulfur led to explosion after explosion
According to Utusan TV, the explosion was said to have been caused by a whopping 200 tons of burning sulfur, which spilled during an experiment in the canteen where the workers wanted to test new firecrackers. The chemical caught fire and rapidly spread to a large pile of firecrackers nearby, setting off a chain of fiery and deadly reactions.
Tremors were felt for as far as seven kilometers, leading to the destruction of over 200 houses, some of which had their roofs completely blown off and windows shattered, while others were completely destroyed. Many vehicles on the road were also burnt. Some drivers who did not have enough time to escape from their cars also died in the blaze.
The first explosion that went off at 3:45 PM was only the beginning.
Up until midnight, more than 20 explosions continued to terrorise nearby residents, and the smoke could be seen from as far as 8 kilometers away.
To put out the blaze, more than 50 men and 8 firefighter trucks from Damansara Utama, Sungai Buloh and Shah Alam were deployed to the scene. Additionally, 9 ambulances from Hospital Kuala Lumpur and 5 more from Hospital Sungai Buloh were also busy at work as the ambulance drivers made several trips to and from the factory to ferry victims to the hospital.
The aftermath
Bright Sparklers, which had been operating since 1978, was confirmed to be unlicensed, and many shocking discoveries were made following the accident.
The company hired underage workers, and following the explosions, an underground fuel storage facility was also found. Bright Sparklers also bought 6 tons of phosphorus from England which they stored in the factory, but it was never put to use.
The Selangor state government successfully raised more than RM800,000 in funds to aid the families of the victims. The matter also sparked investigations throughout the years, however, the case was closed in 2006, 15 years after the fateful tragedy.
