Hussein confirmed that an excavator was near the site of the blast and fire but said whether the heavy machinery was the cause of the incident could only be determined after this investigation is completed.

“We can confirm that one excavator was used for digging works for the laying of sewage pipes right in front of the shoplots that have yet to be completed,” he said, according to Berita Harian.

“We believe that the excavator was buried in the crater after the explosion. Towards the end of the recovery process, we will dig up the area to extract the excavator.”

Hussein added that this would only take place after repairs on the Petronas gas pipeline is completed.

The massive blaze on April 1 saw flames soaring over 30 metres high with temperatures reaching up to 1,000 degree Celsius. No one died in the incident but 150 victims had to seek treatment at hospitals.

The fire destroyed 81 houses, with structural damage exceeding 40%. Another 81 houses were partially damaged and 57 homes were affected but not burned.