Massive fire in Malaysia leaves 9,000 homeless as 1,000 stilt houses burn down

Kuala Lumpur: More than 9,000 people have been displaced after a massive fire tore through a densely packed coastal settlement in Malaysia’s Sabah state early Sunday, destroying around 1,000 homes in a matter of hours.

The blaze broke out in a “water village” in Sandakan district, an area known for its wooden stilt houses built over the sea and home to some of the region’s most vulnerable communities, including indigenous and stateless residents.

Authorities described the incident as one of the most devastating fires in recent years. Sandakan police chief George Abd Rakman called it a “very large-scale and heartbreaking incident”, confirming that 9,007 residents were affected.

According to the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department, the fire started around 1:32 am and quickly engulfed the tightly clustered homes.

“The fire involved an estimated 1,000 temporary floating homes with a total area of 10 acres and 100 percent burnt,” the department said in a statement.

Firefighters faced major challenges in containing the blaze. Narrow pathways made it impossible for fire engines to reach the site, while low sea levels and strong winds further complicated efforts.

Despite the scale of destruction, officials confirmed there were no reported injuries or fatalities, and the situation is now under control.

With thousands suddenly homeless, the focus has shifted to emergency relief and rehabilitation. Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said authorities are working to provide immediate support.

“The priority now is the safety of victims and immediate assistance on the ground,” Anwar said in a Facebook post.

With AFP inputs