Tuaran: Some 700 used vehicles were declared total losses after a 0.8-hectare storage facility at Jalan Dungun Marabahai Tambalang 2, here, was razed by a fire this afternoon. The Sabah Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Centre said the premises, owned by a local company, was believed to have been set ablaze by a nearby forest fire that spread rapidly to the site.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the department received an emergency call at 1.10 pm, with the first fire engine arriving at the scene at 1.18 pm. A total of 25 personnel from the Tuaran Fire and Rescue Station (BBP), assisted by firefighters from Lintas and Kota Kinabalu, as well as six police officers, were deployed to the location. Firefighters carried out firefighting operations using several hose reels and water supply from tankers. They successfully prevented the flames from spreading further, subsequently saving 30 vehicles parked in the vicinity.

The fire was brought under control at 3.31 pm, and the operation ended at 4.55 pm after firefighters ensured there were no remaining embers that could reignite the blaze. No casualties or injuries due to the fire were reported.