34 homes razed in Sandakan
SANDAKAN: A fire broke out in Kampung Air, Batu Sapi here, early yesterday, destroying 34 houses and leaving 100 residents homeless.
Sandakan Fire and Rescue Department chief Anddre Andrew said the department received an emergency call at 5.28am, and despatched 25 personnel to the location in three machines, two utility vehicles and an Emergency Aid Unit (EMRS) vehicle.
“The fire was brought under control at 6.30am. We prevented it from spreading to the surau and nearby houses. The cause of the fire and the estimated losses are being investigated.”
He said a 54-year-old man suffered about five per cent burns to his body while trying to rescue his belongings, and was sent to the Duchess of Kent Hospital.
Victim Mustafa Talib, 48, said he had just completed subuh prayers when he saw smoke and heard people screaming.
“When I came out, the fire was already blazing.”
He said the fire started from his neighbour’s house about 5ft away and razed his house’s roof within minutes.
The family only managed to save important documents.
“This is the third time our house has caught fire.
“The first time was in 1997 and the second in 2002.
“There was nothing much to salvage, only some documents because the fire had engulfed the roof, the house was filled with smoke and the power had died,” he said at the Kampung Air Multipurpose Hall.
Mustafa said besides government aid, he hoped fire victims would be provided with a home under the People’s Housing Project and allowed to rebuild their houses on the same site as it was a recognised village.
Vicims Hadidah Abdul Rasad, 59, said she could only watch as her house was destroyed by fire, the second time after the first incident in 2002, which involved at least 200 houses.
When she became aware of the fire, she took her two grandchildren, age 2 and 3, to the ground area.
“All our belongings were destroyed.
“Bridges connected the houses. The fire started on bridge four, and we live on bridge three.
“The fire spread quickly, probably because the houses were made of wood and strong winds were blowing.
“Within 30 minutes, our house was completely razed.”