KOTA KINABALU: A row of double-storey semi-permanent shoplots was destroyed in a fire at a village in Ranau district.
A shop owner suffered minor burn injuries to his hands in the fire that destroyed 11 shoplots including grocery stores and coffeeshops at Kg Timbua around 5.30pm on Labour Day (May 1).
According to Ranau Fire and Rescue Station Chief Rantey Fred, two cars in the area were also burned while several motorcycles inside a workshop were affected by the fire.
He said the injured shop owner was treated at the Timbua Health Clinic, adding that shop owners reported losing personal documents like identity cards and other documents in the fire, in addition to the damaged property.
Rantey said after receiving the distress call 5.50pm, a team with one fire truck was despatched to the location about 36km from the station
“By 6.40pm, the fire had already spread and destroyed the entire row of shops,” he said, adding that they extinguished the fire using water from the fire engine tank and a fire hydrant.
“The fire was brought under control at 7.06pm. The cause of the incident is still under investigation,” he said.
Ranau district officer Tinus Manggam, who is the district disaster management chairman, declared a fire disaster at Kg Timbua at 10pm on May 1 to provide necessary relief for the victims.
