THREE children reported missing after a massive pre-dawn fire destroyed about 200 makeshift houses in a water settlement Kota Kinabalu were found dead by firefighters on Sunday morning.
The third victim was found at 7.46am, not far from where the first two victims were located at 6.40am and 7.20am during firefighting operations.
The three victims were identified as Mohd Hasrul Abd, four, Ana Abd, six, and Norfadilah Mohd Thajia, eight.
They were two siblings and their cousin who had been reported missing after the fire swept through Kampung Lok Buta, Kampung Lok Poring and Kampung Sabang Lama in Kampung Numbak.
Acting Kota Kinabalu Fire and Rescue Station chief Mohd Hannis Moktar confirmed the discovery of the third victim when contacted.
He said firefighters found the child while continuing search and rescue operations at the fire site.
"The third victim was found not far from where the two earlier victims were located," he said.
The fire broke out at about 1.30am and destroyed about 200 makeshift houses built over the water across an area measuring about 79 metres by 116 metres.
Sabah Fire and Rescue Department director Mohd Pisar Aziz earlier said 41 firefighters from four stations — Kota Kinabalu, Lintas, Penampang and Tuaran — were deployed to the scene.
"The fire involved a settlement of non-permanent makeshift houses built over the water, covering three villages, namely Kampung Lok Buta, Kampung Lok Poring and Kampung Sabang Lama.
"Initial estimates indicate that about 200 houses were affected by the fire. Firefighters conducted firefighting operations using two water lines, drawing water from the fire engines and an open water source, namely the sea," he said in a statement.
The blaze was brought under control at 6.26am.
The cause of the fire and the extent of the losses remain under investigation. - August 30, 2026
