SHAH ALAM - A devastating pre-dawn fire on April 19 swept through a water village in Sandakan, displacing thousands of residents and destroying hundreds of homes.
While authorities moved swiftly to deliver aid, early investigations suggested that the blaze may have started from a cooking accident, with structural weaknesses and environmental conditions allowing it to escalate into one of the most severe fires the area has ever experienced.
How the fire started
The blaze broke out at around 1.30am in Kampung Bahagia, a densely populated water village in Batu Sapi.
According to village head Sharif Hashim Sharif Iting, the fire is believed to have started in a home at Bridge A due to a cooking incident. He said the situation escalated when a resident lost control of a gas stove fire.
Despite attempts by neighbours to put out the flames before emergency responders arrived, the fire quickly spread beyond control.
Why the fire spread so quickly
Several critical factors contributed to the rapid escalation.
The homes in the village were largely non-permanent wooden structures built on stilts, each about 300 square feet in size. Their close proximity created a highly combustible environment. Strong winds further intensified the blaze, carrying flames from one house to another within minutes.
Firefighters also faced major logistical constraints. Narrow access routes prevented fire engines from reaching the affected area directly, while low tide conditions limited access to nearby water sources.
The Sabah Fire and Rescue Department said these conditions severely hampered firefighting efforts, forcing crews to rely on water tankers and a pressurised hydrant from a nearby factory.
Scale of destruction and displacement
Initial reports indicated around 200 homes destroyed, but updated figures suggested that the devastation was far greater. Authorities later estimated that up to 1,000 homes were razed, affecting between 8,000 to over 9,000 residents.
No fatalities were reported at the time, but thousands were forced to flee with little or no belongings. The fire was described as the worst in the village’s history, surpassing previous incidents in 1999 and 2001.
Eyewitness accounts: ‘We only managed to escape with our lives’
Residents described scenes of panic and helplessness as flames spread in the early hours.
"I did not just lose my home; I lost my livelihood. The ‘bakso’ stall I operated for eight years is also gone. We could not save anything. We only managed to escape with our lives. It was chaotic.
“My only priority was the safety of my young grandchildren. It is fate. Even my stall, which was located away from the house, caught fire,” victim, Lim Nawali, 61, said.
Another resident, Alpaida Bundun, 38, shared how quickly the situation worsened.
"I was about to sleep when I heard people shouting about a fire. When I checked, the flames were already intense. We grabbed only our important documents and ran. The first house to catch fire was far away, but before we knew it, the flames were upon us," she said.
Her home was destroyed around 3am, nearly two hours after the fire began.
Emergency response on the ground
Firefighters received the emergency call at 1.32am, with teams from Sandakan and Kinabatangan deploying 35 personnel to the scene.
The operation was led by Zone Sandakan fire commander PgB Jasri Ab Jal, with assistance from multiple agencies including police, civil defence and utility services.
Despite the challenges, crews worked through the early morning to contain the blaze, although it was initially reported to be not yet under control.
Government response and aid efforts
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he was shocked upon receiving news of the disaster.
“The priority now is the safety of the victims and immediate assistance on the ground,” he said.
A temporary evacuation centre was activated at Dewan PPR Batu Sapi at 7am, housing hundreds of displaced residents in the initial phase.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed that both federal and Sabah state governments are coordinating relief efforts.
"I am saddened to see the massive fire incident involving hundreds of houses in Kampung Bahagia, Batu Sapi, Sandakan. I express my deepest sympathy to all those affected.
"Losing one's shelter in the blink of an eye is certainly a very severe test for the victims and their families. Let us all pray that all victims are granted strength and perseverance in facing this test. Hopefully all matters will be made easier," he said.
Authorities are focusing on registration, shelter and distribution of essential aid, while local political machinery has also been mobilised to assist on the ground.
Why water villages are especially vulnerable
Incidents like this highlighted longstanding structural risks in water villages:
- Closely packed wooden homes make fires difficult to contain once they start.
- Limited road access delays emergency response.
- Dependence on tidal conditions affects water availability for firefighting.
- Basic infrastructure gaps, including water supply and firebreaks, increase overall vulnerability.
Village leaders have called for improved planning, better emergency access and more adequate temporary housing facilities, especially for families, children and the elderly.
The Sandakan fire highlighted how quickly a small domestic incident can escalate into a large-scale disaster in high-density, high-risk environments.
While the immediate focus remains on humanitarian aid and recovery, the incident has raised broader questions about infrastructure resilience, safety enforcement, and long-term solutions for vulnerable communities living in water villages.