A resident looks at a coastal village after a fire in the northern Borneo state of Sabah, Malaysia, April 19, 2026. Hundreds of people have been displaced after a fire destroyed over 200 homes in a coastal village in the northern Borneo state of Sabah, Malaysian authorities said on Sunday. The fire broke out at 1:32 am local time, Sandakan district's fire and rescue chief Jimmy Lagung told Bernama. (Bernama/Handout via Xinhua)
KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of people have been displaced after a fire destroyed over 200 homes in a coastal village in the northern Borneo state of Sabah, Malaysian authorities said on Sunday.
The fire broke out at 1.32 am local time, Sandakan district's fire and rescue chief Jimmy Lagung told Bernama.
"Strong winds and the close proximity of the houses caused the fire to spread rapidly, while low tide conditions also made it difficult to obtain an open water source," he said.
No casualties have been reported so far, and local authorities have started arranging temporary shelters for the affected residents. ■
An aerial drone photo taken on April 19, 2026 shows a coastal village after a fire in the northern Borneo state of Sabah, Malaysia. Hundreds of people have been displaced after a fire destroyed over 200 homes in a coastal village in the northern Borneo state of Sabah, Malaysian authorities said on Sunday.
The fire broke out at 1:32 am local time, Sandakan district's fire and rescue chief Jimmy Lagung told Bernama. (Bernama/Handout via Xinhua)
Residents transfer their property after a fire at a coastal village in the northern Borneo state of Sabah, Malaysia, April 19, 2026. Hundreds of people have been displaced after a fire destroyed over 200 homes in a coastal village in the northern Borneo state of Sabah, Malaysian authorities said on Sunday.
The fire broke out at 1:32 am local time, Sandakan district's fire and rescue chief Jimmy Lagung told Bernama. (Bernama/Handout via Xinhua)
This photo taken on April 19, 2026 shows a coastal village after a fire in the northern Borneo state of Sabah, Malaysia. Hundreds of people have been displaced after a fire destroyed over 200 homes in a coastal village in the northern Borneo state of Sabah, Malaysian authorities said on Sunday.
The fire broke out at 1:32 am local time, Sandakan district's fire and rescue chief Jimmy Lagung told Bernama. (Bernama/Handout via Xinhua)
