SANDAKAN, SABAH – A catastrophic predawn fire tore through the water village of Kampung Bahagia in Sandakan on Sunday, April 19, 2026, reducing approximately 200 wooden stilt houses to ash and leaving hundreds of residents homeless.

The blaze, which erupted in one of Sabah’s most vulnerable coastal communities, triggered a large-scale emergency response as strong winds and low tide conditions combined to create a "perfect storm" for the fire’s rapid spread.

The Sandakan Fire and Rescue Department received an emergency call at 1:32 a.m. local time. When the first teams arrived on the scene, they were met with a wall of flames fueled by tightly packed wooden structures and intensifying sea breezes.

Firefighters from the Sandakan and Kinabatangan stations faced significant obstacles, as the narrow, maze-like walkways of the water village prevented engines from reaching the seat of the fire directly. According to Sandakan Fire and Rescue chief Jimmy Lagung, an outgoing tide further hampered efforts by stripping crews of a seawater supply, forcing them to rely on water tankers and long-distance hose lines connected to a nearby factory's hydrant.

Despite these challenges, the fire was successfully brought under control by 4:00 a.m., preventing the inferno from sweeping through the remaining sections of the 1,200-unit settlement.

While the exact number of victims is still being tallied, preliminary reports from the Sabah State Disaster Management Committee indicate that at least 445 people have been registered at temporary relief centers.

The affected area is home to some of the region's most impoverished residents, including indigenous groups and stateless individuals. Many families fled with nothing but the clothes on their backs as the fire jumped from roof to roof in seconds.

"The wind was against us from the start," chief Lagung stated. "In a water village, the houses are so close that once a fire takes hold in these conditions, the destruction is almost instantaneous."

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim issued a statement on Facebook early Sunday morning, affirming that the federal government is coordinating with Sabah authorities to prioritize immediate aid.

To support the displaced residents, temporary evacuation centers (PPS) have been opened at the Batu Sapi People’s Housing Project (PPR) Hall and Sekolah Kebangsaan Gas, providing essential food, medical checks, and modular tents.

Meanwhile, the Sandakan Municipal Council has officially declared the affected residential area a disaster zone. The site remains strictly cordoned off, as authorities have deemed the ruins currently unsafe for re-entry or occupation.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Fire and Rescue Department. Early speculation points toward potential electrical issues within the non-permanent structures, though arson investigators have yet to confirm the origin point.

As the sun rose over Sandakan, smoke continued to billow from the charred pilings that once supported a vibrant community, marking one of the most devastating fires to hit the district in recent years.