KOTA BELUD: Twenty-eight people were left with nothing but the clothes on their backs after fire destroyed two houses in Kampung Labuan shortly after midnight on Saturday.
The two houses, which sheltered four and 24 occupants respectively, were razed to the ground, though no casualties or injuries were reported.
Kota Belud Fire and Rescue Station Chief Elge Bakuk said they received the emergency call at 12.03am and dispatched a team to the scene located six kilometres away.
“Upon arrival, the team found both semi-permanent and non-permanent structures fully engulfed, with fires at 100 per cent,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
Firefighters tackled the blaze using two hose lines stretching 27 metres, drawing water from tanker equipment. Elge noted that the distance from the nearest fire hydrant also six kilometres away made the operation more challenging and prolonged.
The fire was brought under control at 1.53am, after which crews conducted overhaul work to eliminate any remaining hotspots and prevent re-ignition. Sabah Electricity assisted in the operation.
The operation ended at 4.23am. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
In Sandakan, a homeowner’s open house ended before it could begin on Sunday, when fire tore through the residence at Kampung Nelayan Tengah, Batu 10, just as invited guests were arriving.
No casualties were reported in the incident. Members of the public said they had been on their way to the house at the time of the incident, having earlier been invited by the homeowner to an open house only to arrive as the fire broke out.
Sandakan Fire and Rescue Station Chief Jimmy Lagung said they received a distress call at about 4.46pm, following which a team was deployed to the scene some 22 kilometres away.
“Operations were brought under control at 5.41pm and ended at 6.18pm,” he said.
The cause of the fire and estimated losses are under investigation.
Police were also at the scene to assist.
