(Image from AFP PHOTO / Malaysia's Sandakan Fire and Rescue Department) "Sandakan Fire and Rescue Department, Malaysia"
A fire broke out in a water village along the coast of Sabah state, Malaysia, destroying over 1,000 wooden homes and leaving nearly 10,000 people homeless.
Foreign news agencies reported that on Sunday, 19 Apr 2026, a large fire occurred in a coastal village in Sabah, Malaysia, destroying more than 1,000 stilt houses built over water and forcing thousands of residents into homelessness.
Reports stated the fire started early Sunday morning in the water village located in Sandakan district in northeastern Sabah, an area heavily populated by Malaysia’s lowest-income groups, including various ethnic minorities and stateless individuals living densely in elevated wooden houses.
The Sabah Fire and Rescue Department said it received the alert at approximately 01:32 and deployed 37 firefighters from two stations to control the blaze.
"The fire covered about 10 acres, completely destroying approximately 1,000 temporary riverside homes," the department said in a statement, adding that firefighting efforts were hindered by narrow access roads preventing fire trucks from reaching the site.
The statement also noted that "low tide made it difficult for firefighters to access natural water sources," and strong winds contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.
Sandakan district police chief George Abdul Rahman told The Star newspaper that this "large and tragic incident" affected 9,007 residents.
However, reports confirmed that no injuries or fatalities resulted from the incident.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the federal government is coordinating with Sabah state agencies to expedite aid and arrange temporary shelter for the victims.
"The most important priority now is the safety of the affected people and providing urgent assistance on the ground," Anwar said in a Facebook post.
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Source:cna