Over 30 homes razed in early morning blaze in Sandakan

KOTA KINABALU: A man suffered burns on his hands and some parts of his body following an early morning fire that destroyed dozens of homes at a water village in Sandakan on Sunday (March 17).

The fire, which was reported to have started at about 5am, razed through the mostly wooden homes and firemen are still at the scene putting out the fire.

Sabah Fire and Rescue Department operations chief Khatizah Rahaban said a total of 19 firemen in three fire engines were sent to the location after they received a call at 5.28am.

"We managed to bring the fire under control at about 6.30am.

"So far the information we have is that one man was injured while at least 32 houses have been destroyed," she said in a statement.

The injured man was given preliminary treatment at the scene before he was sent to the hospital.