Quick response prevents wider damage as fire destroys 28 homes in Sandakan

SANDAKAN — Emergency responders successfully contained a fire that swept through a waterfront settlement in Sandakan on Monday, limiting destruction to 28 non-permanent stilt houses while protecting hundreds of neighbouring residences.

The fire broke out at Kampung Nunuyan Laut, a densely populated settlement built over water. Swift action by firefighting teams prevented the flames from spreading to an estimated 162 additional homes in the vicinity, which could have resulted in a far more catastrophic outcome given the close proximity of wooden structures typical in such communities.

The affected stilt houses, which housed multiple families, were a total loss. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the fire or provided details on the number of residents displaced by the incident. Emergency services were deployed quickly to the scene, and firefighting efforts focused on creating firebreaks to prevent the fire from advancing to adjacent dwellings.

The incident highlights the vulnerability of waterfront settlements to fire risk, particularly where homes are constructed from light materials in close quarters. Local authorities have not announced any immediate plans for relief measures or rebuilding assistance for affected residents.