KOTA KINABALU, SABAH – At least 200 Gaya Islanders are displaced when an evening fire razed 73 stilt homes in Kampung Lok Urai here last night.
The State Fire and Rescue Department (FRD) reported a distress call placed at 8.23pm.
“Personnel from three district FRDs including Lintas and Penampang were deployed to the scene…
“No casualties or deaths were reported in the incident,” a spokesperson for the agency said today.
Three temporary shelters were setup in Sembulan, Likas and Damai at 1pm.
Overseeing the victim’s hospitality is the Civil Defence Force, that by 12pm, registered 15 families comprising 85 people including seven elderlies and two infants.
The total number of affected families is believed to be around 75.
Mayor Noorliza Awang Alip said on her part, will closely monitor victims to determine the exact numbers.
Speaking for governmental agencies as Sabah Disaster Management Committee Command Centre chairman, she said they are all on post-disaster standby mode.
“Police and rescue officers have been working tirelessly since the incident. The same goes for Sabah Electricty Sdn Bhd.”
Meanwhile, State Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister in a visit to the Sembulan shelter earlier today disclosed that the government is willing to grant home owners raw materials to rebuild their homes.
“But this is all dependent upon the land status, gazetted or otherwise…
“Investigations by City Hall are being carried out to determine this, Shahelmey said, which will take about a week to complete.
“The victims may stay up to a week at the shelter where they will be provided with hot meals daily.
“They will be given a week’s worth of food baskets upon their leave as we are looking into the possibility of cash handouts,” he told reporters.
Last night’s flames were visible from the mainland. Images and videos of the incident like the fire quickly spread on social media.
Gaya Islands can be reached by a 10 to 15 minute boat ride from the city.
