Fire in Malaysia's Sabah destroys 1,000 homes, thousands displaced

Strong winds, closely packed wooden stilt houses cause blaze to spread rapidly in Sandakan district

Thousands of people have been displaced ​after a fire destroyed around 1,000 homes ‌in a coastal village in Malaysia's Sabah state on Borneo island on Sunday, the fire department said.

Authorities were notified ​of the fire in Sandakan district at ​around 1.32 a.m. (1732 GMT), the district's fire ⁠and rescue chief Jimmy Lagung said in a ​statement.

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The fire broke out in one ​of Sabah's water villages, which feature wooden houses built on ‌stilts ⁠and are home to some of the country's poorest communities, including many stateless and indigenous groups.

Over 9,000 residents have been affected by the fire though ​no deaths ​have been ⁠reported, Sandakan police said, according to state news agency Bernama.

Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar ​Ibrahim said the federal government was ​coordinating ⁠with Sabah authorities to provide basic assistance and temporary relocation for those affected.

Malaysia's Prime ​Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the federal government ​was ⁠coordinating with Sabah authorities to provide basic assistance and temporary relocation for those affected. "The priority now ⁠is ​the safety of the victims ​and immediate assistance on the ground," he said in a Facebook ​post.