Three children were found dead after a massive fire destroyed about 200 homes in a water village in Numbak early today.
The third victim, who had initially been reported missing, was located by firefighters at about 7.46am during continued search and overhaul operations at the scene.
The victim was found not far from where the first two victims were discovered at about 6.40am and 7.20am respectively.
The victims were identified as Mohd Hasrul Abd, four, Ana Abd, six, and Norfadilah Mohd Thajia, eight. The three were siblings and their cousin.
Acting Kota Kinabalu Fire and Rescue Station chief Senior Assistant Fire Superintendent Mohd Hannis Moktar confirmed that the third victim had been found.
“The third victim was found not far from the location where the first two victims were found,” he said.
The blaze broke out in the early hours of today and affected non-permanent water village homes across Kampung Lok Buta, Kampung Lok Poring and Kampung Sabang Lama.
Initial estimates indicated that around 200 homes were affected across an area measuring approximately 79 metres by 116 metres.
The Fire and Rescue Department received an emergency call at 1.40am, with fire engines arriving at the scene at about 1.54am.
Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control at 6.26am to prevent it from spreading to surrounding areas.
A total of 44 personnel from the Kota Kinabalu, Lintas, Penampang and Tuaran fire stations were involved in the operation, with assistance from the Royal Malaysia Police and Sabah Electricity.
The discovery of the three victims has added a tragic dimension to the large-scale fire, which left numerous families affected and destroyed homes across the three villages.
Authorities are still verifying the full extent of the damage and losses, while investigations into the cause of the fire remain ongoing.
