Fifty homes destroyed in massive blaze in Semporna

Some 50 homes are reported to have been destroyed in the fire.

KOTA KINABALU: A massive fire broke out at Kampung Simunul in Semporna, one of the major locations of the 2013 Sulu army intrusion in Lahad Datu.

Hundreds of people were seen fleeing their homes and attempting to save their belongings as strong winds aided the fire, which started at 7.30pm Saturday, to rapidly spread throughout the village.

A Fire and Rescue Services Department spokesman said that some 50 houses have been destroyed and that firemen managed to bring the blaze under control by 11pm.

There are about 1,500 houses in the settlement.

Kampung Simunul was one of the major locations of the 2013 Sulu army intrusion in Lahad Datu.

At least 50 firemen from Semporna and neighbouring Kunak and Tawau are at the scene as villagers continue to flee the water settlement.

“They are still continuing to fight the fire,” said the spokesman who declined to confirm if there were any casualties.

Unconfirmed claims by Semporna residents say that at least one person – a security guard – has died. A woman is also claimed to be missing.

Six policemen were killed in Kampung Simunul in 2013 at the height of the Sulu intrusion in Lahad Datu.

There have been plans for some time now to demolish the entire village for security reasons.

The villagers were intended to be relocated to ensure that terrorists do not use their homes for criminal activities.