Fire destroys workers’ quarters

KOTA KINABALU: Hundreds of people were left homeless after seven blocks of workers’ quarters in Tawau went up in smoke.

No casualties were reported during the fire yesterday.

The Fire and Rescue Department received a distress call at 3.44am about the fire at a factory along Brantian Road at Mile 42, Tawau.

A team of seven men, led by operations commander Syed Salipudin Habib Taha, was dispatched.

They arrived at the location, which is 67km away from the station, at 5.50am.

They were assisted by five volunteer firefighters from the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) of Tawau.

“The fire was brought under control within 10 minutes, and the operation ended at 6.57am,” said a statement from the department.