Overview
- The blaze, which erupted early Sunday in Sandakan’s Kampung Bahagia, tore through tightly packed wooden homes on stilts over the sea.
- Authorities gave sharply different tallies, with the fire department citing about 200 homes lost and local police reporting roughly 1,000 and some 9,007 people affected.
- Fire crews said no injuries or deaths were recorded and that the immediate danger had passed after winds eased and crews contained hot spots.
- Narrow walkways, low tide that limited access to seawater, and strong winds hampered engines and helped the flames race through the settlement.
- Relief centers have registered at least 445 people so far, and officials expect the count to rise as state and federal teams arrange temporary housing for residents of one of Sabah’s poorest water villages.