RANAU: A man suffered burns in a fire which destroyed a row of double-storey shoplots, here, on Labour Day (May 1).
Ranau Fire and Rescue Station Chief Rantey Fred said two cars were also burnt, while several motorcycles inside a workshop were affected by the 5pm fire that destroyed 11 shoplots, including grocery stores and coffee shops, at Kg Timbua, around 6pm.
He said the injured shop owner was treated at the Timbua Health Clinic, adding that shop owners reported losing personal documents like identity cards and other documents in the fire, in addition to the damaged property.
Rantey said after receiving a distress call 5.50pm, a team with one fire truck was despatched to the location about 36km from the station.
“By 6.40pm, the fire had already spread and destroyed the entire row of shops,” he said, adding that they extinguished the fire using water from the fire engine tank and a fire hydrant.
“The fire was brought under control at 7.06pm. The cause of the incident is still under investigation,” he said.
Ranau District Officer Tinus Manggam, who is the district disaster management chairman, declared a fire disaster at Kg Timbua at 10pm on May 1 to provide necessary relief for the victims.
