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KOTA KINABALU – Two temporary relocation centres has been activated for more than 200 victims of the Kg Meruntum water village in Putatan, near here, who lost their homes in a blaze last night.
Sabah Community Development and People’s Well-being Minister Shahelmey Yahya said the relocation process to the first centre in the Serigai People’s Housing Project (PPR) hall in Ketiau, about 1km away from the village, is ongoing.
“We hope that there are no casualties in the incident, especially as the number of houses involved is so high that it poses a challenge for us during Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year,” he said at the Kg Meruntum centre here last night.
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Meanwhile, the Civil Defence Force confirmed the opening of a second relocation centre in Sri Keramat Hall, Ketiau, Putatan, as the hall at Serigai PPR is full.
The Fire and Rescue Department had initially said 15 houses were destroyed in the fire that began about 5.30pm yesterday. Inspections are ongoing to determine the full extent of the damage.
Penampang district police chief Mohd Haris Ibrahim said the police, however, estimate that up to 30 houses may have been damaged in the fire.
The fire was so large that its plume of smoke could be seen from Kota Kinabalu, about 10km away. The flames were only brought under control about three hours later at 8.01pm.
A total of 45 families were affected, involving 221 people. – The Vibes, May 16, 2021
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