KOTA KINABALU: A man in his 30s managed to escape from his burning house but sustained burns to his hand in Kampung Tembiluk, Mengkabong, Tuaran.
The Tuaran Fire and Rescue Department said the man was given immediate treatment by an Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) team and taken to Tuaran Hospital.
The fire, reported at 2.41am on Wednesday (April 16), razed eight houses and partially damaged another – all non-permanent structures.
Five vehicles were also damaged, including two motorcycles, two cars and a lorry.
Firemen arrived at the scene at 2.50am and brought the fire under control by 3.30am. It was fully extinguished at 6.59am.
A total of 11 personnel from the Tuaran Fire and Rescue station, led by commander PBK I Azran Jull, were involved in the operation.
Personnel from the police, Health Ministry and Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd also assisted.
The cause of the fire and the estimated losses are still being investigated.
In Semporna, five houses were destroyed and another damaged in a fire at Kampung Balimbang Berjasa on Pulau Bum-Bum at around 12.30pm the same day.
The Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) said there were 79 victims from nine households affected. No injuries or fatalities were reported.
A team from APM Semporna, assisted by police and the Fire and Rescue Department, was dispatched to the scene but the fire had already been extinguished when they arrived.
All victims are currently at Dewan Balimbang while arrangements are being made for temporary shelter. – Bernama.
