SANDAKAN: A pre-dawn fire tore through Kampung Bukit Nenas in Karamunting early Wednesday, destroying three wooden houses, three grocery shops, and a motorcycle.
The Fire and Rescue Department received an emergency call at 3.01 am via the NG999 system. Due to the distance, firefighters from the Sandakan Fire and Rescue Station (BBP Sandakan) arrived at the scene, located 13 kilometres away at 3.14 am.
According to Operations Commander PBK I Alan Ayuh, the blaze engulfed an area measuring approximately 90 by 150 feet, with the affected structures completely destroyed. The properties lost included three houses, three grocery shops, and one motorcycle.
The swift response prevented the fire from spreading to neighbouring houses, saving an estimated 350 homes from destruction. Firefighters brought the blaze under control by 3.40 am, and operations concluded at 6.31 am after ensuring no further danger remained at the scene.
A total of 14 personnel from BBP Sandakan were deployed, assisted by three members of the Kampung Bokara Community Fire Unit. Other supporting agencies included the district police, Civil Defence Force, and Sabah Electricity (SE).
BBP Sandakan Officer-in-Charge Jimmy Lagung acted as Senior Operations Commander.
In an unrelated incident on Tuesday afternoon, a house at Taman Joying along Jalan Tawau Lama was completely destroyed by fire.
The Fire and Rescue Department received an emergency call at 1.38 pm, with firefighters from BBP Tawau arriving at the scene, just three kilometres away by 1.48 pm.
The fire was brought under control by 2.10 pm, with operations concluding at 3.14 pm. A total of 18 personnel from BBP Tawau were deployed, receiving support from the Civil Defence Force (APM), Titingan Community Fire Unit, district police, and SE.
PBK I Lister Kores served as Operations Commander at the scene.
The Sabah Fire and Rescue Operations Centre confirmed no casualties or injuries were reported in either incident. Investigations into the causes of the fires and the total value of losses are currently underway. – James Leong
The fire at Kampung Bukit Nenas in Karamunting, Sandakan early Wednesday.
