A major fire in Sabah, Malaysia has destroyed about 200 homes and forced hundreds of people to evacuate.
According to Bernama news agency, the fire occurred in a coastal village in Sandakan district, Sabah (Malaysia). Authorities received a notice at around 1:32 am. Mr. Jimmy Lagung, leader of the local fire and rescue force, said strong winds and the close proximity of houses caused the fire to spread quickly. Low tide conditions also made it difficult to access water sources for firefighting.
The area where the fire occurred is a "floating village" with wooden houses erected on stakes planted on the water surface, home to poor communities, including locals and non-citizens. The fragile architectural characteristic caused widespread damage in a short time.
About 445 people had to leave their homes, according to unofficial figures from the temporary relief center in Sandakan. Many families lost all their property after the fire.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the federal government is coordinating with the Sabah state government to provide essential assistance and temporary accommodation for the victims. He emphasized that the current priority is to ensure safety and emergency support for those affected.
