Up in smoke: An aerial view of the aftermath of the massive fire at the village in Kampung Sri Aman, Tawau.
KOTA KINABALU: Three people suffered breathing difficulties due to smoke inhalation after a massive fire destroyed about 80 houses at a water village in Kampung Sri Aman in Tawau.
The victims were promptly given first aid on site by the Emergency Medical Rescue Services team from the Fire and Rescue Services Department.
Tawau Fire and Rescue Station chief Jemishin Ujin said he and 44 firemen rushed to the scene, located about 6km away, after receiving a distress call at 7.46am yesterday.
His team was supported by four firefighters from Kunak and seven from the Titingan community firefighting team.
“On arrival, the fire team found that the houses were built too close together, and the receding sea water made it challenging for the fire brigade to extinguish the flames quickly.
“Our team had to draw water from a fire hydrant on the main road located about 180m away,” he said, Bernama reported.
“The fire team had to make two fire breaks by demolishing two houses to ensure the fire did not spread to other places.
“There was also a collapsed bridge that hindered our movement, and we had to ask for help from the villagers to lift the pump.”
Despite the challenges, Jemishin said about 250 houses were saved due to the fire breaks and the fire was brought under control by 9.20am.
No casualties were reported, and the cause of the fire and the losses are still under investigation.
Meanwhile, resident Wati Majuran, 30, recounted the terrifying moment she discovered the fire.
“I was sweeping under the stairs when my four-year-old son shouted from the upper level of the house, ‘Mother, mother, fire, fire!’
“I rushed upstairs and saw that the fire had already spread to the kitchen.
“My children were in the room, some still asleep. I panicked and could only think about saving my four children,” she said.
Wati managed to grab the children’s birth certificates before fleeing the house.
“I don’t know how the fire started. Alhamdulillah, everyone is safe, though my youngest son hit his head on the wall,” said the housewife.
