KOTA KINABALU: Hundreds of residents of a 25-storey twin tower residential/commercial complex here fled their homes after a fire broke out on the fifth floor of the building's multi-storey car park in the early hours of Tuesday (July 29).
The incident on the city's waterfront saw both locals and tourists fleeing the buildings as fire alarms went off at 1.40am.
Sabah Fire and Rescue Department senior operations commander Riki Mohan Singh Ramday said the fire involved construction materials that were left in the car park.
"The fire destroyed 20% of the parking area and was extinguished," he said.
He said two South Korean tourists were trapped in a lift during their escape.
They were rescued by firemen but experienced breathing difficulties and were given first aid at the scene.
“No casualties were reported and the cause of the fire is still under investigation,” Riki Mohan said, adding that 17 firefighters in three engines and the Bomba Motorcycle Unit were involved in battling the blaze.
The fire occurred about an hour after another blaze at the Kota Kinabalu Community Hall.
