Sandakan: About 1,000 houses were destroyed in a fire that broke out at the water village of Kampung Bahagia early today. Sandakan Fire and Rescue Station chief Jimmy Lagung reported that the blaze engulfed an area exceeding four hectares. The low tide conditions posed challenges in securing an adequate open water source for the firefighting operations.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the firefighting efforts utilized seawater, water from tankers, and a pressurized hydrant from a nearby factory. Four hose lines stretching 1,000 feet and 12 water jets were employed to combat the fire. Assistance from a Fire Rescue Tender (FRT) from the Kinabatangan station included deploying two additional hose lines measuring 400 feet with four water jets. The firefighting operation concluded at noon with no casualties reported.

Sandakan Municipal Council president Datuk Walter Kenson announced the opening of another relief centre (PPS) at Sekolah Kebangsaan Gas at 11 am. This followed the initial centre at the Batu Sapi People's Housing Project (PPR) Hall, which opened at 7 am. The decision to open these centers came after inspections deemed the affected residential areas unsafe. A disaster declaration for the Sandakan district has been issued by the council.

As per unofficial information from the Sabah State Disaster Management Committee as of 10.30 am, the PPS at the Batu Sapi PPR Hall recorded 143 heads of households, involving 661 victims. The Social Welfare Department and Civil Defence Force are continuing the registration process to ensure all affected individuals receive assistance.