KOTA KINABALU: A family in Jalan Pecky here narrowly escaped injury when a massive tree fell on their house during a heavy storm.
Ebnar Randu, 40, said he was at home with his wife and child when they heard a loud cracking sound around 2pm on Tuesday (Feb 25).
"I went to check and saw a huge tree about to fall on us. I immediately called out to my family and we ran outside. The tree crashed just as we got out," he said, adding that several trees near their house lessened the impact and reduced the damage.
"If those trees weren't there, our house would have been destroyed," Ebnar said.
His house only suffered minor damage but his neighbour's kitchen suffered worse damage.
His neighbour, Anjeles Aling, 52, said no one was home when the tree fell.
"The 30m-tall tree hit two breadfruit trees before slamming into my kitchen," she said, adding she had difficulty finding someone to repair the damage.
"No one wants to take the job because Ramadan is approaching. The rain is making things worse – water keeps leaking into the kitchen through the damaged roof," she said.
She thanked Civil Defence Force personnel for working until 6pm to clear the area.
"They removed about 30% of the fallen tree yesterday and will continue today," she added.
The Sandakan District Civil Defence Operations Centre said they received a distress call at 2.23pm. Two houses sustained damage and no injuries were reported.
