Fire in Malaysia Destroys 200 Homes, Hundreds Displaced
Hundreds of people were left homeless after a fire destroyed about 200 houses in a coastal village in the Malaysian state of Sabah on Sunday, the state news agency Bernama reported.
“Strong winds and the close proximity of the houses caused the fire to spread rapidly, while low tide conditions also made it difficult to access an open source of water”, district fire and rescue chief Jimmy Lagung said, according to Bernama.
The blaze broke out in one of Sabah’s water villages, areas characterized by wooden houses built on stilts and home to some of the country’s poorest communities, including many stateless and indigenous groups.
About 445 people have been displaced so far, according to unofficial figures from a temporary relief centre in Sandakan cited by the agency.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the federal government was coordinating with authorities in Sabah to provide basic assistance and temporary resettlement for those affected.