The Kampung Nunuyan Laut fire in Sandakan has been declared a disaster after 28 water village houses were destroyed in a blaze early Wednesday.
The Sandakan District Disaster Management Committee also activated an evacuation centre at Masjid Al Fattah to accommodate residents affected by the incident.
Sandakan Municipal Council (MPS) president and Sandakan District Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Walter Kenson said the relief centre officially began operating at 10am after assessments found the affected homes were no longer safe for residents.
Sandakan Fire and Rescue station chief Jimmy said an emergency call was received through the NG999 line at 3.50am, with firefighters arriving at the scene at around 5.25am with assistance from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).
Firefighters used seawater to battle the flames through a 300-foot hose line, successfully bringing the blaze under control by 5.45am.
The swift response also prevented the fire from spreading further, with 162 nearby houses saved from being destroyed.
Strong winds were believed to have contributed to the rapid spread of the flames between the wooden houses built on stilts. Villagers also reported that several fishing boats were destroyed in the fire.
The operation involved 10 personnel from the Sandakan Fire and Rescue station, led by operations commander PBK I Alan Ayuh, together with four MMEA personnel.
No injuries or deaths were reported in the incident.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire and the total value of losses, while affected residents are being accommodated at the temporary relief centre.
