The family of Lee Kon Eang, 62, said he is in intensive care after sustaining 80% burns all over his body, after he unknowingly tried to light up his cigarette in a room filled with leaked cooking gas.

Lee’s son, Chye Soon, said the family were in shock and were praying for his father’s recovery.

“We are not staying there any more. Now contractors are coming to fix our house. We will move to my mother-in-law’s house, after staying here for 15 years,” he said when reporters called at his house today.

Chye Soon and his family brought state executive councillor Yeoh Soon Hin to visit their rubble-filled 650 sq ft flat on the 20th floor. The blast destroyed the wall separating the flat from his neighbour’s. Lee’s son, daughter-in-law and grandchild were unhurt as they were in another room at the time. The neighbours were also unhurt.

Yeoh said the Welfare Department would give RM500 cash aid to the Lee family.