Child dies as major fire destroys dozens of homes in Tawau

A young boy has perished in a major residential fire that engulfed Kampung Sentosa in Tawau, leaving a trail of destruction across the densely populated settlement. The 12-year-old victim was unable to escape the rapidly spreading flames that consumed his family's home.

The fire destroyed around 30 houses in the area, rendering numerous families homeless and prompting an immediate response from local firefighting teams. The scale of the incident highlighted the vulnerability of informal residential settlements to fire hazards, particularly in areas with limited spacing between structures.

Emergency personnel worked to contain the blaze and prevent further spread to adjacent properties. The incident has raised concerns about fire safety infrastructure and evacuation procedures in the densely populated kampung.

Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing. Authorities have indicated that support measures are being arranged for the affected families who have lost their homes in the disaster.