Massive Fire Tears Through 200 Homes in Malaysia Floating Village

(MENAFN) Malaysian authorities launched emergency rescue and relief operations Sunday after a devastating blaze tore through a floating village in the coastal city of Sandakan, reducing hundreds of homes to ash in the early morning hours, local media reported.

The inferno gutted at least 200 houses in Kampung Bahagia, a water-bound settlement off Sandakan's shoreline, according to local English daily the Malay Mail. No casualties were reported.

Sandakan Fire and Rescue Station Chief Jimmy Lagung said dozens of firefighters scrambled to the scene after the station received an emergency call at 1:32 a.m. Sunday (1732GMT Saturday), with crews battling the rapidly spreading flames across the densely packed floating structures.

A post-fire assessment delivered grim news to displaced residents. Datuk Walter Kenson, head of the Sandakan District Disaster Management Committee, said examination of the village found the homes of the affected residents "are no longer safe to live in."

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he was shocked when he learned of the fire, confirming that both the federal government and Sabah state government were stepping in to coordinate basic assistance and temporary accommodation for the victims.

Investigations into the cause of the blaze are expected to be launched as authorities continue relief efforts for the scores of residents left homeless by the disaster.

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