A major fire in Malaysia’s Sabah state has destroyed about 1,000 homes and displaced thousands of residents, according to official and media reports.
The blaze broke out early Sunday in a coastal village in the Sandakan area of Sabah on the island of Borneo, Reuters reported.
Fire officials said the incident began at approximately 1:32 a.m. and spread rapidly due to strong winds and the dense clustering of houses. They added that unusually low sea levels hampered firefighting efforts by limiting access to sufficient water to control the flames.
The affected settlement is one of Sabah’s “water villages,” where wooden houses are built on stilts above the sea. These communities are typically home to some of Malaysia’s poorest residents, including stateless individuals and indigenous groups.
Authorities estimate that more than 9,000 people have been affected. No casualties have been reported so far.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the federal government is coordinating with Sabah state authorities to provide emergency assistance and temporary shelter for displaced residents.
“The priority now is the safety of the victims and immediate assistance on the ground,” he said in a Facebook post.
hz/sa
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