TAWAU: Seventy stalls selling second-hand clothes were destroyed in a fire at Kg Titingan early Thursday.
Tawau Fire and Rescue Station Chief Jemishin Ujin said the affected area measured about 100 by 120 metres, while firefighters managed to save some 350 houses and other stall lots from the blaze.
He said the department received an emergency call through NG999 at 4.44am and firefighters arrived at the scene seven minutes later.
A total of 20 personnel from the Tawau Fire and Rescue Station, led by PBK I Mohd Yahya Abd Fatah, along with 10 Community Fire Brigade members, were deployed for the operation.
Jemishin said the fire was brought under control at 5.23am and no casualties were reported.
“Firefighting operations involved two 700-foot hose lines with six jets, using water supplied from the fire engines and hydrants.
“The operation ended at 7.42am after ensuring there were no further hazards at the scene,” he said.
The operation was also assisted by nine Civil Defence Force (APM) personnel, 10 police personnel and two Sabah Electricity personnel.
Meanwhile, APM said the fire, which involved 70 lots comprising food and second-hand clothing stalls, affected 27 heads of households.
Those affected comprised four men and 23 women, all Malaysians, while no temporary evacuation centre was opened.
