KOTA KINABALU: Fifteen families were only left with the clothes on their back after their houses were razed in a fire in Sabah's east coast Tawau district.
The blaze, which took place at 8.10am on Thursday (Aug 3), destroyed four houses including two rumah kongsi at Kampung Tanjung Batu Tengah.
However, firemen's efforts to douse the flames were hindered due to the absence of a fire hydrant as well as the close proximity of the houses to each other.
"We also had trouble coming into the area due to the narrow road," said Tawau Fire and Rescue Station chief Jemishin Ujin.
He added that they had to use water from a nearby drain to put out the fire.
Earlier, he said, 18 firefighters were rushed to the location after being alerted of the incident at 8.13am.
Despite the obstacles, Jemishin said, they managed to bring the fire under control and prevented flames from spreading to several houses nearby.
He said the damage was still being assessed but early observations showed two houses, including a two-storey structure as well as two rumah kongsi, with 12 rooms in total, were destroyed.
He added no one was reported hurt in the incident.
"The cause of the fire is still being probed," he said, adding that firefighters ended the operation at 11.24am after ensuring there were no further risks.
