KOTA KINABALU – Thirty-four families are left homeless following a blaze in Kg Tg Aru Baru early today.
The fire is believed to have been caused by a candle used in a house during a power outage. The flames quickly spread to nearby homes.
Sabah Fire and Rescue Department spokesman Mohd Affendy Ramin said it received a distress call at 7.08am, and a team from the station here was deployed to the water village.
“The firemen arrived at the village five minutes later, and saw about 10 wooden houses burning.
“They were able to bring the fire under control at 7.58am with the help of villagers.”
No deaths or injuries were recorded.
It is the second such incident in Kg Tg Aru Baru under two months after a fire destroyed 33 makeshift homes on May 25.
That blaze was the result of illegal scrap metal collectors burning wire cables to obtain copper, and occurred about 15m from the site of today’s fire.
State Community Development and People’s Well-being Minister Shahelmey Yahya, who was at the scene about 8.50am, said his officers are taking down victims’ information.
“Aid will be delivered to them after all their details have been taken down.” – The Vibes, July 6, 2021