TAWAU, Jan 12 – A massive fire tore through Kampung Sri Aman 2, a water village in Tawau, on Sunday morning, leaving 62 houses and a mosque in ruins. The fire, which broke out around 7:46 am, was reported to be exacerbated by the tightly packed wooden houses and receding sea water, making firefighting efforts challenging.
Tawau Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) Chief Jemishin Ujin explained that the close proximity of the houses and the lack of accessible water sources hindered their ability to control the flames quickly. The team had to rely on a fire hydrant located 600 feet away on the main road to extinguish the blaze.
Challenging Conditions for Firefighters
Unpredictable wind patterns and a collapsed bridge further complicated rescue efforts. “We had to create two fire breaks by demolishing nearby houses to prevent the fire from spreading further,” said Jemishin. Despite these obstacles, the fire brigade successfully saved approximately 250 houses, bringing the fire under control by 9:20 am.
Thankfully, no casualties were reported, and investigations into the fire’s cause and financial losses are ongoing.
Victims Recount Terrifying Moments
One victim, Wati Majuran, 30, shared her ordeal, describing the moment her four-year-old son alerted her to the fire. “I was sweeping under the stairs when he shouted, ‘Mother, fire!’ I rushed upstairs, grabbed my children and their birth certificates, and fled the house,” she said. Wati expressed gratitude that her family escaped unharmed, though her youngest son sustained minor injuries.
Another resident, hotel worker Karim Abdul, rushed to the scene after receiving a call. “By the time I arrived, the house was already engulfed. Thankfully, everyone escaped safely despite the quick spread of the fire,” he added.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of water villages to such disasters. Local authorities continue their efforts to assist the displaced families.
