Malaysia Fire Disaster: Nearly 1,000 Homes Burn in Sabah’s Kampung Bahagia

A devastating fire in Kampung Bahagia, Batu Sapi in Sandakan, (Malaysia) Sabah, has left widespread destruction, with hundreds of homes reduced to ashes.

Authorities have launched urgent relief efforts to support affected families and provide temporary shelter.

Fire Breaks Out in Early Hours

The fire broke out around 1:30 am on Sunday, rapidly spreading through the densely populated floating village.

According to fire officials, emergency services received a distress call shortly after, at around 1:32 am. A team of 35 firefighters from Sandakan and Kinabatangan fire stations rushed to the scene to control the blaze.

Due to the close proximity of houses in the water village, the fire spread quickly, making it difficult to contain.

Scale of Destruction Increases

Initial reports suggested that around 200 homes were destroyed, but later updates indicated that the damage was far more severe.

Nearly 1,000 houses have now been reported destroyed, affecting a large portion of the settlement. Kampung Bahagia has around 1,200 homes and a population of nearly 8,000 people, highlighting the massive impact of the disaster.

Government Responds with Emergency Measures

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed shock over the incident and said the government's immediate focus is on the safety and well-being of victims.
He stated that urgent assistance is being provided on the ground to help those affected.

Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor also said that all relevant agencies have been mobilised to ensure the safety and welfare of residents.

Temporary Relief Centres Set Up

To support displaced families, a temporary relief centre was opened at Dewan PPR Batu Sapi at around 7 am.

Authorities are providing:

• Temporary shelter
• Food supplies
• Basic necessities

Officials said the priority is to ensure that victims are safe, comfortable, and receive immediate assistance.

Call for More Support

Village head Hashim Sarip Iting has called for quick government action to help affected residents, including relocation to relief centres.
With thousands impacted, the need for coordinated relief and rehabilitation efforts remains urgent.

Ongoing Monitoring and Recovery Efforts

The Sabah government has said it will continue to closely monitor the situation and ensure that aid reaches all victims effectively.

As recovery efforts begin, authorities are focusing on restoring normalcy and supporting families who have lost their homes.