A fire in a village in the Malaysian state of Sabah has destroyed around 1,000 homes, displacing thousands of people. The Malaysian news agency Bernama reported about it on Sunday, writes TASR.
“High winds and close proximity to homes caused the fire to spread quickly, with low water levels making it difficult to get an open water source,” said the head of the local fire and rescue service.
The fire broke out in the early hours of the morning local time in one of the seaside villages of Kampung Bahagia in Sabah, characterized by wooden houses built on stilts and home to some of the poorest communities in the country. Many stateless persons and indigenous people also live in them. Bernama reports that according to the police, this fire affected 9,007 residents. The police did not report any casualties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced on Facebook that the federal government is working with Sabah state officials to provide basic assistance and temporary relocation to people affected by the fire. “The priority now is the safety of the victims and immediate assistance in the field,” stated.
