KOTA KINABALU: The general public are urged to keep calm amidst rumours as to the cause of the fire in Semporna on Tuesday evening.
Chief Minister, Datuk Mohd Shafie Apdal called on everyone to show compassion and kindness to the victims and welcomed assistance to those who lost their homes and all their worldly goods.
“Our most immediate concern is for the well-being of the victims. Let us show compassion and kindness towards them instead of being caught up in unfounded rumours,” he said in a statement issued here today.
No casualties were reported in the fire but more than a 1,000 people of Kampung Air Hujung and Kampung Air Tengah have since been left homeless.
Swift measures were made by the Semporna District Council and other authorities to ensure the victims received adequate shelter and relief.
Meanwhile, police were still investigating the cause of the fire, whether it was due to arson that ended up destroying some 200 wooden houses on stilts.
After a distress call at 6pm on Tuesday, a team of 48 firefighters finally managed to put out the fire by 12.41am on Wednesday.-pr/BNN
