Firefighters save 162 homes from Sandakan blaze

SANDAKAN: Close to 30 houses were destroyed in an early morning fire at Kampung Nunuyan Laut.

Sabah Fire and Rescue Department said it received an emergency call at 3.50am yesterday, deploying 12 firefighters from the Sandakan fire station.

The team travelled 6km to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency jetty before continuing 12km by boat to the village with assistance from the agency.

Firefighters reached the scene at 5.25am.

Beyond salvage: Some of the 28 houses on stilt that were destroyed in the fire at Kampung Nunuyan Laut, Sandakan. The fire, which occurred at around 3am was brought under control by 5.45am. No casualties were reported. — Bernama

The department said the blaze engulfed non-permanent wooden houses, destroying all of them.

Strong winds hampered the sea response and caused the flames to spread rapidly between the closely packed houses.

Firefighters pumped seawater through two hose jets to battle the inferno, bringing it under control by 5.45am.

Their efforts prevented the fire from spreading to another 162 houses.

No casualties were reported.

Firefighters spent the remaining hours dousing hotspots before calling off the operation at 8.33am once the site was declared safe.