Plantation fire in Sabah kills 79-year old woman

KOTA KINABALU: The plantation fires around the state have killed a 79-year old woman on Tuesday.

The charred remains of rubber tapper Yagoi Golok, was found by Kg. Purak Kogis villagers in Kota Belud at her burning plantation at about 1.30pm. 

Sabah Fire and Rescue Department public relation officer Mohd Affendy K Ramin said villagers discovered Yagoi.

The villagers had tried to put out the fire before help arrived.

"Firemen managed to bring the plantation fire under control at about 2pm," he said.

The fire at the six-acre rubber plantation was believed to have started from a spark due to the El Nino-induced extreme heat at about 1pm.

There have been more than 700 reports of fires around the state this month.