KOTA KINABALU: A massive fire tore through Kampung Cempaka in Likas early Saturday (Mar 1), destroying 80 homes and leaving 669 people from 139 families homeless.
No casualties were reported in the 5.41am blaze, which spread rapidly across a 250-square-metre area, forcing residents to flee with only the clothes on their backs.
Lintas Fire and Rescue station chief Agustavia Joe Guasi said a team of 11, led by operations commander Saflan Safrie, assisted by the 16 personnel from the Kota Kinabalu Fire Station, responded to the emergency call within 17mins.
“The fire involved closely packed squatter houses, making it difficult to contain,” she said.
Firefighters used multiple water sources, including a relay pumping system and water drawn from a nearby river, to battle the flames.
“Our priority was to ensure no lives were lost while preventing the fire from spreading further. Thankfully, there were no casualties,” she added.
The blaze was eventually brought under control, with efforts continuing to determine the cause of the fire.
Other agencies, including police, the Civil Defence Force, Sabah Electricity and the Water Department, assisted in the operation.
Authorities are now working on relief efforts for the displaced residents.
