SANDAKAN: Two separate fire incidents were reported in different locations in Eastern Sabah over the weekend involving a workers’ quarters in Telupid and a food stall in Sandakan.
A fire destroyed a block of workers’ quarters at the Tawai 1 Estate Housing area, Telupid, on Sunday.
According to reports, an emergency call was received at 5.12 pm. However, fire engines from the Beluran Fire and Rescue Station had to travel a distance of 100 kilometres and arrived at the scene at 6.45 pm.
Operations Commander, PBK I Rahmat Rudat, reported that the fire involved one permanent block of 8-door workers’ quarters. Each house, measuring 20×20 square feet, was reported 100% burnt. Firefighting operations were brought under control at 7.30 pm and concluded at 8.00 pm. Eight personnel were involved in the operation, and no casualties were reported in this incident.
In a separate incident, a food stall in Taman Mesra, Sandakan, also caught fire in the early afternoon of the same day.
An emergency call was received at 1.13 pm, and fire engines from the Sandakan BBP, located only 4 kilometres away, arrived within five minutes at 1.18 pm.
Operations Commander PBK I Alan Ayuh reported that the fire involved a wooden stall measuring 20×30 feet, with 20% of it burnt. The operation was brought under control at 1.21 pm and completed by 2.19 pm. No injuries or fatalities were reported in this incident.
Meanwhile, Tawau police arrested eight men to assist in investigations regarding a brawl at the Sabindo Ramadan Bazaar site, which went viral on social media.
Tawau OCPD ACP Jasmin Hussin, in a statement, informed that police detected a video post showing a fight between several men believed to have occurred on March 6 about 8.27 pm. A police report was lodged on the same day.
Acting on this information, a police team from the District Criminal Investigation Division arrested all eight suspects, aged between 17 and 34, at several locations. Of that number, seven are Malaysian citizens, while one is a foreigner.
Police also seized a motorcycle chain suspected to have been used during the incident. Initial investigations suggest the brawl stemmed from dissatisfaction between the two groups involved.
All suspects are currently being held in the Tawau IPD lockup to assist with the investigation. Police obtained a four-day remand order against them. The case is being investigated under Section 148 of the Penal Code for rioting, which carries a maximum prison sentence of five years, a fine, or both, upon conviction. – James Leong
Several suspects (centre), arrested by Tawau police in connection with the brawl at the Sabindo Ramadan Bazaar.
