SANDAKAN, April 19 — About 1,000 houses were destroyed in a fire that broke out at Kampung Bahagia here early today.
Sandakan Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) chief Jimmy Lagung said the blaze engulfed an area of more than 4ha, with low-tide conditions hampering efforts to secure an adequate open water source for firefighting operations.
“Besides seawater, firefighting operations utilised water from a tanker and pressurised hydrant belonging to a factory. Four hose lines stretching 1,000ft and 12 water jets were used to extinguish the fire.
“A Fire Rescue Tender (FRT) from the Kinabatangan station also assisted in the operation, deploying two hose lines measuring 400ft with four water jets,” he said in a statement.
Jimmy said the firefighting operation concluded at noon, and no casualties were reported.
Meanwhile, Sandakan Municipal Council president Datuk Walter Kenson said another relief centre (PPS) was opened at SK Gas here at 11am, after the first centre at the Batu Sapi People’s Housing Project (PPR) Hall was opened at 7am.
He said the centre was opened after inspections found the affected residential areas unsafe for occupation, and a disaster declaration for the Sandakan district had been issued by the council.
According to unofficial information from the Sabah State Disaster Management Committee as at 10.30am, the PPS at the Batu Sapi PPR Hall recorded 143 heads of households involving 661 victims, with the Social Welfare Department (JKM) and Civil Defence Force (APM) continuing the registration process.
A total of 9,007 residents were affected after the around 1,000 stilt houses were destroyed.
District police chief George Abd Rakman said police received a report on the incident at 1.30 am, before the area was declared a disaster zone at 4am.
“The area comprises about 1,200 houses, of which approximately 1,000 were affected, involving 9,007 residents.
“Thankfully, the fire was brought under control by the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM),” he told reporters at the scene.
George said the authorities are currently coordinating the registration of victims for evacuation and the distribution of assistance.
Meanwhile, he dismissed claims circulating on social media that the fire had resulted in fatalities.
“There are claims that there were deaths. I wish to stress that, so far, I have not received any reports of loss of life. Those injured were likely hurt while trying to save their belongings or assisting others,” he said.
He added that the cause of the fire is still under investigation by JBPM.
