By JAMES LEONG
SANDAKAN: A fire broke out at Kampung Batu Putih at Jalan SK Batu Putih, Mile 7 on Wednesday, completely destroying 21 wooden houses and a village storage shed across a three-acre area.
A team of 25 firemen led by Operations Officer PBK I Hazmizan Maksit responded to an emergency call at 10.40 am and arrived at the scene by 10.58 am about 16 km from the Sandakan Fire and Rescue station.
The firefighters battled the blaze using 1,600 feet of hose line with multiple water sources including fire engines and open water. The blaze was brought under control by 11.47 am followed by overhaul task.
According to Sabah Fire and Rescue Operations Centre, two victims suffered hand burns and received preliminary treatment from the EMRS team before being handed to the medical personnel for further attention.
Other agencies involved in the operation were the district police, Sabah Electricity and Civil Defence Force.
Firefighting operation ended at 2.14 pm. The affected victims were temporary moved to the nearby Kampung Batu Putih multipurpose hall.
Authorities are investigating to determine the cause of fire and losses. No fatalities were reported.
Meanwhile, Lahad Datu police are investigating a viral social media case involving three vehicles overtaking dangerously on the district road recently.
The incident is being probed under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, an arrestable offence, OCPD ACP Dzulbaharin Haji Ismail said in a statement on Tuesday.
Dzulbaharin confirmed that two individuals have come forward with their vehicles at the Lahad Datu District Police Headquarters to facilitate investigation.
However, efforts to locate the third vehicle involved in the incident are ongoing. Details of the wanted vehicle are as follows – make/model: Toyota Hilux; license plate: SD 8929F; colour: white; registered owner: Basri Bin Umar; address: Perumahan Baiduri, Felda Sahabat 17, Lahad Datu.
Police have advised the suspect to surrender immediately at the Lahad Datu District Police Headquarters.
They also urged members of the public who know the suspect or have information on the vehicle to notify the individual to present himself to the police.
