Two-hour blaze leaves scores of Tawau squatter families homeless

KOTA KINABALU: Scores of families were left homeless when a massive fire swept through through the Kampung Hidayat squatter settlement in the east coast Tawau district on Saturday.

Sabah Fire and Rescue Services Department operations centre chief Khatizah Rahaban said the fire that broke out about 3.10pm destroyed houses within a 33m sq area.

She said 30 firemen from Tawau, Semporna and Kunak managed to bring the blaze under control by about 5.11pm.

Khatizah said firemen faced difficulties in bringing the blaze under control due to low water pressure.

She said the wooden houses that were built close to each other also made the firemen’s work tougher.

“At the moment it’s too early to say how many houses were destroyed as well as the cause of the fire,” Khatizah said.