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THE Federal Government and the Sabah state government have launched coordinated efforts to provide urgent assistance and temporary accommodation for residents affected by a devastating fire that razed around 200 homes in Kampung Bahagia, Batu Sapi, Sandakan.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he was deeply shocked upon receiving reports of the blaze, which destroyed hundreds of homes in the early hours of Sunday morning.
“Therefore, the priority now is the safety of the victims and immediate assistance on the ground,” he said in a Facebook post on Sunday (April 19).
The fire, which engulfed a floating village settlement, is reported to have broken out at approximately 1.30am.
According to Sandakan fire station chief Jimmy Lagung, emergency services received a distress call at 1.32am.
He said 35 firefighters from the Sandakan and Kinabatangan fire stations were deployed to the scene to bring the situation under control.
In response to the disaster, a temporary relief centre was activated at Dewan PPR Batu Sapi at 7am to house displaced residents.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the state government had mobilised all relevant agencies to ensure the safety and welfare of those affected.
“I am deeply saddened to receive reports of a major fire involving hundreds of homes in Kampung Bahagia, Batu Sapi, Sandakan,” he said in a Facebook posting on Sunday.
“The state government has mobilised all relevant agencies to ensure the safety of victims is always guaranteed, while providing immediate assistance so that they are safe and comfortable.”
He added that the government’s immediate priority was to safeguard the welfare of victims, including the provision of temporary shelter, food supplies and other basic necessities.
“Our priority at this time is to ensure the welfare of all victims is taken care of, including the provision of temporary shelter, food and basic needs,” he said.
Hajiji further said the state government would continue to monitor the situation closely and ensure that all forms of assistance are delivered promptly and effectively as recovery efforts progress.
Nearly 1,000 Homes Destroyed
In a new developement, nearly 1,000 houses were destroyed in the major fire that swept through the water village of Kampung Bahagia in Sandakan in the early hours of Sunday, leaving widespread destruction across the densely populated settlement.
Village head Hashim Sarip Iting called for swift government intervention to assist affected residents, including their relocation to temporary relief centres.
Kampung Bahagia is home to around 1,200 houses with an estimated population of about 8,000 people, underscoring the scale of the disaster and the urgency of relief efforts. - April 19, 2026
