Muhamad Saat Osman, 64, was out of town the day of the Putra Heights gas pipeline fire but he immediately made calls to offer help as soon as he heard about it.

“I was in Alor Setar, Kedah, when the incident happened.

That’s how he ended up participating in the two-day operation to clean up Taman Putra Harmoni and Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru − the affected areas near Putra Heights, Selangor.

“When I heard about the clean-up operation, I volunteered. I saw it as my responsibility to help my neighbours,” said Muhamad Saat, the former village head of Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru in Puchong.

He was among 4,841 volunteers in the clean-up organised by Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) last weekend. Many were from state agencies, local authorities and uniform bodies including KDEB Waste Management (KDEBWM).

The effort was supported by the National Solid Waste Management Department and Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation. Accompanying the convoy of express buses carrying volunteers to the affected sites were lorries carrying water tankers, water jetters, and backhoes.

Also deployed were wood chippers, skylift and roll-on-roll-off (Roro) bins. Kuala Langat Municipal Council president Mohd Hasry Nor Mohd was seen cutting a branch of a burnt tree with a chainsaw while the local council’s Squad Pantas team members dragged away fallen burnt trees.

Volunteers were also seen clearing out burnt household items such as bicycles, zinc roofs and home furnishings. Some houses also had their compounds cleaned by volunteers.

“I hope this two-day operation will help ease the burden of homeowners,” said Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, who had flagged off the assembled volunteers earlier at MBSJ Arena.

KDEBWM managing director Datuk Ramli Mohd Tahir had assured all affected homeowners they could request for additional Roro bins should the need arise.

“Just let us know. We will provide them as soon as possible free of charge,” he said. On how soon the affected areas can be cleared of burnt debris, Ramli said it would depend on the readiness of homeowners.

He said some homeowners were still waiting for insurance adjusters before throwing away burnt and damaged items. He expects more items to be thrown away once the authorities have given the all-clear for contractors to finally enter the area to carry out repairs.

MBSJ, in a media statement, said 294.22 tonnes of bulk waste were collected from the affected area. The city council also expressed gratitude to all government agencies and volunteers who took part in the clean-up.