A huge fire has destroyed around 1,000 makeshift stilt homes in a coastal village in Malaysia's Sabah state, displacing thousands of people, authorities said on Sunday.
The blaze broke out in the early hours of Sunday morning in a water village in Sandakan district, home to some of the country's poorest residents, including indigenous and stateless communities. The fire and rescue department received a call at approximately 1.30am local time and dispatched 37 personnel from two stations. However, narrow access routes prevented fire engines from reaching the site, and low tide made it difficult to access open water sources, while strong winds fuelled the flames.
Sandakan police chief George Abd Rakman described the incident as 'very large-scale and heartbreaking', affecting 9,007 residents. No injuries or fatalities were reported. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the federal government was coordinating with Sabah authorities to provide assistance and temporary accommodation for those affected as soon as possible.
