Sandakan: About 1,000 houses were destroyed in a fire that broke out at the water village of Kampung Bahagia here early today. Sandakan Fire and Rescue Station chief Jimmy Lagung revealed that the blaze engulfed an area of more than four hectares, with low tide conditions hampering efforts to secure an adequate open water source for firefighting operations.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, firefighting operations utilized seawater, as well as water from a tanker and a pressurized hydrant belonging to a factory. Four hose lines stretching 1,000 feet and 12 water jets were employed to combat the flames. Additionally, a Fire Rescue Tender (FRT) from the Kinabatangan station assisted in the operation by deploying two hose lines measuring 400 feet with four water jets. The firefighting operation concluded at noon, with no casualties reported.

Meanwhile, Sandakan Municipal Council president Datuk Walter Kenson announced the opening of another relief centre (PPS) at Sekolah Kebangsaan Gas at 11 am, following the initial opening of the centre at the Batu Sapi People's Housing Project (PPR) Hall at 7 am. The decision was made after inspections deemed the affected residential areas unsafe for habitation. Consequently, a disaster declaration for the Sandakan district was issued by the council.

According to 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.