PUTATAN – Six houses were completely destroyed in a fire at Kampung Ketiau here in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
No fatalities were reported in the incident, which occurred at about 5.30am, but all residents were left with only the clothes they were wearing.
Putatan Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) chief Noor Sherriyana Bohari said the department received a distress call at 5.48am.
He said nine personnel from BBP Putatan were dispatched to the scene, assisted by 11 personnel from BBP Penampang and nine from BBP Kota Kinabalu.
"According to reports, the fire involved six houses which were 100 per cent destroyed. Firefighting operations were immediately carried out using water from fire engine tankers and open water sources from a nearby river.
"Further inspections at the scene found that no victims were involved or killed," he told Sinar when contacted.
He added that the operation successfully saved seven nearby houses and a Proton Saga vehicle.
"The operation was concluded at 10.59am after the situation was confirmed to be safe," he said.
Meanwhile, Putatan District Officer and Putatan District Disaster Management Committee chairman Masawi Salleh announced that a Temporary Evacuation Centre (PPS) at Dewan Sri Keramat here had been opened to accommodate victims affected by the fire.
"In line with the views and recommendations of the Putatan District Disaster Committee, the PPS was activated at 8.30am," he said.