According to Bernama, authorities were alerted to the blaze in Sandakan district at around 1:32 am (1732 GMT), as stated by the district’s fire and rescue chief, Jimmy Lagung.
“Strong winds and the close proximity of the houses caused the fire to spread quickly, while low tide conditions also made it challenging to access an open water source,” Lagung mentioned, as per Bernama.
The fire erupted in one of Sabah’s water villages, characterized by wooden homes built on stilts and inhabited by some of the country’s most impoverished communities, including many stateless and indigenous groups.
As of now, around 445 individuals have been displaced, according to unofficial figures reported by Bernama, which includes those registered at a temporary relief centre in Sandakan.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that the federal government is collaborating with Sabah authorities to offer essential assistance and temporary relocation for those impacted.
“The immediate priority is the safety of the victims and providing urgent support on the ground,” he expressed in a Facebook post.
(Edited by : priyanka deshpande)
