Sabah's Kampung Air, Malaysia, Burns, 1,000 Houses Ludes, 9,000 Residents Displaced

JAKARTA - A major fire hit an air village settlement in Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia, early Sunday. About 1,000 houses were burned down and more than 9,000 residents were forced to evacuate.

Citing a Kyodo News report, Monday, April 20, the fire quickly spread in the area of stilt houses standing on the sea. The row of tightly packed wooden buildings made the fire easy to spread.

The local fire service said strong winds also increased the flames. On the other hand, the narrow access road and the receding sea conditions made it difficult for officers to reach the location and control the fire.

There have been no reports of fatalities. However, thousands of residents have had to leave their homes and are now in temporary shelters.

Water village settlements are indeed found along the coast of Sabah, Kalimantan Island. This area is known to be dense, with buildings made of wood and flammable materials. Basic infrastructure in a number of points is also limited.

Village head Sharif Hashim Sharif Iting, as quoted by the Daily Express Sabah daily, said the fire was allegedly caused by uncontrolled cooking activities. However, the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the central and state governments were coordinating the handling. Initial assistance was focused on residents who lost their homes.

The fire in the Sabah water village is not the first incident. Local authorities have long recorded this area as prone to fires, especially due to the density of buildings and materials used. Until now, a thorough repair in the area is still a homework.