1,338 victims affected from the fires in Tawau

TAWAU - A total of 1,338 victims were identified to be affected by the fire involving about 700 homes in the village in Jalan Apas of Kurnia Jaya Village, Batu 4, here on Thursday.

According to the secretariat of the Civil Defense Forces Management Committee (APM) Sabah, as of now there is no temporary evacuation center (PPS) has been opened however the process of registering the affected victims is underway.

He said the Tawau Municipal Council (MPT) has provided temporary transit facilities for the current victims in Rumah Adat of Kurnia Jaya Village as well as the hall and mosque of the Hidayat Village Batu 4, here.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Tawau Zone Chief, Senior Fire Chief II, Sukur Hatta said this morning confirmed that 700 homes were burned in the incident.

"Firefighters are still working to investigate the cause of the incident and the estimated loss suffered by the victim at the location," he said.

Sinar Harian on Thursday night reported that an estimated of 500 homes were destroyed by the fire that occurred around 4.30pm.