KOTA KINABALU: A fire that tore through Kampung Batu Putih Jambatan 3 near Mile 7, Sandakan on Wednesday (April 23) morning destroyed 21 homes and a storage unit, injuring a child and a senior citizen.
According to the Fire and Rescue Department, an emergency call came in at 10.40am and firefighters arrived at the scene at 10.58am.
Sandakan Zone fire chief Jasri Ab Jal said the blaze affected wooden non-permanent houses built closely together, making it easy for the flames to spread.
“Our team managed to bring the fire under control by 11.41am.
"We saved 50 nearby houses and three boats,” he said.
The fire spread over an area of 1.2ha (three acres), and investigations are ongoing to determine the cause and total losses, he added.
Jasri said water was sourced from fire engines, hydrants and even the sea using three hose lines and six nozzles.
Police confirmed that the two victims were treated immediately on-site in an ambulance.
“Both suffered minor burns,” said Sandakan district police head of internal security and public order division, Deputy Supt Sham Osman.
He added that those affected by the fire would be housed in a temporary relief centre at Dewan Serbaguna Batu Putih, the nearest available hall.
The operation also involved police, the Civil Defence Force (APM), Rela, Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) and other agencies.
