A major fire has destroyed about 1,000 houses in a Sandakan water village, displacing hundreds of residents with no casualties reported
SANDAKAN: About 1,000 houses were destroyed in a major fire at the water village of Kampung Bahagia here early today. The blaze engulfed an area of more than four hectares.
Sandakan Fire and Rescue Station chief Jimmy Lagung said low tide conditions hampered efforts to secure an adequate open water source for firefighting operations.
Firefighters utilised seawater, water from a tanker, and a pressurised hydrant belonging to a factory.
Four hose lines stretching 1,000 feet and 12 water jets were used to extinguish the fire.
A Fire Rescue Tender from the Kinabatangan station also assisted, deploying two hose lines measuring 400 feet with four water jets.
Jimmy said the firefighting operation concluded at noon, and no casualties were reported.
Meanwhile, Sandakan Municipal Council president Datuk Walter Kenson said two relief centres were opened for displaced residents.
The first centre at the Batu Sapi People’s Housing Project Hall was opened at 7 am. Another centre was opened at Sekolah Kebangsaan Gas here at 11 am after inspections found the affected areas unsafe for occupation.
Kenson said a disaster declaration for the Sandakan district had been issued by the council.
According to unofficial information from the Sabah State Disaster Management Committee, the PPS at the Batu Sapi PPR Hall recorded 143 heads of households involving 661 victims as at 10.30 am.
The Social Welfare Department and Civil Defence Force are continuing the registration process for affected residents.
