Early morning fire razes buildings and vehicles in small Sabah town

THREE blocks of old wooden shop buildings were completely destroyed in an early morning blaze in the town of Bongawan in Sabah today.

The fire, which broke out at around 5.30am, also damaged several vehicles in the area.

Nelson Ponji, Chief of the Kimanis Fire and Rescue Station (BBP), said his department received the emergency call at 5.38am.

“Fifteen personnel, including reinforcements from BBP Papar, were deployed to the scene as soon as we received the alert,” he said in a statement.

“The fire involved two-storey semi-permanent shop buildings. Firefighters are actively carrying out extinguishing operations,” he added.

He noted that updates will be provided as new information becomes available. - June 10, 2025