Kuala Lumpur: Hundreds of people have been displaced after a major fire destroyed around 200 homes in a coastal village in Sabah, according to Bernama.
Authorities in the Sandakan district were alerted to the blaze at approximately 1:32 a.m. (1732 GMT), with district fire and rescue chief Jimmy Lagung explaining that strong winds and the close proximity of homes caused the fire to spread rapidly.
Lagung added that low-tide conditions made it difficult for responders to access open-water sources to contain the flames.
Sandakan District Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Walter Kenson, who is also the Sandakan Municipal Council president, declared a fire disaster following the incident.
The fire broke out in one of Sabah’s water villages, which are made up of wooden houses built on stilts. These settlements are often home to some of Malaysia’s most vulnerable communities, including stateless individuals and indigenous groups.
Preliminary figures indicate that around 445 people have been displaced, based on unofficial data from those registered at a temporary relief centre in Sandakan.
Anwar Ibrahim stated that the federal government is coordinating with Sabah authorities to provide essential aid and arrange temporary relocation for those affected. In a Facebook post, he emphasised that the immediate priority is ensuring the safety of victims and delivering urgent assistance on the ground.
Authorities continue to assess the damage and provide relief, as efforts remain focused on supporting displaced families and rebuilding the affected community.
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