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TAWAU: Thirty-six residents were left with only the clothes on their backs after a fire destroyed four houses and damaged another at Lorong Haji Shafie, Kampung Islamiah, Jalan Datuk Titingan off Jalan Utara here on Monday afternoon.

District Fire and Rescue Station chief Jemishin Ujin said the blaze spread rapidly because the houses were built close together, compounded by changing wind conditions.

He said four non-permanent houses were destroyed while a semi-permanent house in the same neighbourhood sustained about 60 per cent damage, adding that no injuries or fatalities were reported as all occupants managed to escape safely.

The Fire and Rescue Department received an emergency call at 3.34pm and the first fire engine arrived six minutes later, with 19 firefighters supported by personnel from the Malaysian Civil Defence Force, Royal Malaysia Police and Community Fire Brigade members.

Jemishin said firefighters brought the blaze under control at 5.20pm and fully concluded operations at 5.47pm, while investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire and assess the losses incurred.