A large fire in Malaysia’s Sabah state on Borneo island has destroyed around 1,000 homes, forcing thousands of residents to leave their houses, according to fire officials.
The blaze broke out early Sunday morning in a coastal water village in the Sandakan district. Authorities said they were alerted around 1:32 a.m. local time.
Fire and Rescue officials reported that strong winds helped the fire spread quickly through tightly packed wooden houses built on stilts. Low tide conditions also made firefighting efforts more difficult, limiting access to water sources.
The affected settlements are known as water villages, where many homes are built over the sea. These communities are often home to low-income families, including indigenous and stateless residents.
Local police and state authorities estimated that more than 9,000 people have been affected by the disaster, although no deaths have been reported so far.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the federal government is working with Sabah authorities to provide emergency aid and temporary shelter for those displaced. He said priority is being given to rescue operations and immediate support for victims.
Relief efforts are ongoing as officials assess the full scale of the damage and plan longer-term assistance for affected families.
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