A massive fire broke out in the Malaysian village of ‘Kampong Bahagia’ in Sabah on Sunday morning, destroying about 1000 houses and rendering hundreds of residents homeless.
According to reports, the fire broke out around 1:30 a.m. and quickly spread to the houses built on wooden stilts that are the hallmark of this coastal community. Firefighters from Sandakan and Kinabatangan stations faced extremely difficult conditions while extinguishing the fire.
Sandakan Fire and Rescue Station chief Jimmy Lagung said narrow roads made it difficult for fire engines to move, while low tide and strong winds made efforts to ensure a steady supply of water even more difficult.
Initial reports suggest that at least 9000 people were rendered homeless in this incident. Officials estimate that this number will increase as more victims come forward for help.
Investigation continues to find out the exact cause of the fire
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has confirmed that the federal government is working closely with Sabah state authorities to provide immediate relief to the affected families and coordinate their temporary rehabilitation. The Sandakan District Disaster Management Committee has officially declared the area a ‘disaster area’, as the buildings remaining there have been deemed unsafe to live in. There are no reports of any casualties so far, and investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire.