Squatters save their makeshift homes

KOTA KINABALU: Hundreds of squatters managed to save their makeshift homes by working together to contain a fire which destroyed about 80 structures at Kg Sundang Laut in Batu Sapi.

The fire, which started at about 7am yesterday, was brought under control with only 30 squatter homes razed after firemen arrived not long afterwards.

Sandakan Fire and Rescue Department chief Martin Thomas said that they received a distress call at about 7.55am and reached the scene about 17 minutes later.

He said the firemen, with the help of villagers, had to use the fire-break method to minimise the damage and stop the fire from spreading further.

There are a total of 280 squatter homes in this village.

“Among the fire-break methods used were destroying damaged structures and bridges so that the flames would stop there, ” Martin said.The fire was brought under control at around 9.15am.

No casualties were reported and investigations into the cause of the fire are underway.

Meanwhile, Sekong assemblyman Alias Sani revealed that most of the victims would be placed at the multipurpose hall of the Batu Sapi People’s Housing Project.

Others will be placed at the village community hall or their relatives’ houses.