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Fire in Malaysia's Sabah Destroys 1,000 Homes, Thousands Displaced
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 19, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 19, 2026
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A massive pre-dawn fire tore through the water village of Kampung Bahagia in Sandakan, Sabah on April 19, 2026, destroying roughly 1,000 stilt homes and displacing thousands, with no reported fatalities and relief efforts already underway.
Fire in Malaysia's Sabah Destroys 1,000 Homes, Displaces Thousands
Massive Fire Displaces Thousands in Sabah's Coastal Village
Incident Overview
KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 (Reuters) - Thousands of people have been displaced after a fire destroyed around 1,000 homes in a coastal village in Malaysia's Sabah state on Borneo island on Sunday, the fire department said.
Fire Outbreak Details
Authorities were notified of the fire in Sandakan district at around 1.32 a.m. (1732 GMT), the district's fire and rescue chief Jimmy Lagung said in a statement.
Challenges Faced by Firefighters
“Strong winds and the close proximity of the houses caused the fire to spread rapidly, while low tide conditions also made it difficult to obtain an open water source,” Lagung said.
Impact on Local Communities
The fire broke out in one of Sabah's water villages, which feature wooden houses built on stilts and are home to some of the country's poorest communities, including many stateless and indigenous groups.
Over 9,000 residents have been affected by the fire though no deaths have been reported, Sandakan police said, according to state news agency Bernama.
Government Response
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the federal government was coordinating with Sabah authorities to provide basic assistance and temporary relocation for those affected.
"The priority now is the safety of the victims and immediate assistance on the ground," he said in a Facebook post.
(Reporting by Rozanna Latiff; Editing by Jamie Freed and Tomasz Janowski)
Key Takeaways
- •Approximately 1,000 stilt houses were razed in Kampung Bahagia, a water village in Sandakan vulnerable due to its closely built wooden homes and limited water access at low tide. (dailyexpress.com.my)
- •Around 8,000 residents have been displaced and over 9,000 affected, though initial reports cited fewer registrations; authorities have declared the area a disaster zone and set up evacuation centers. (dailyexpress.com.my)
- •Firefighters faced challenges due to narrow access, strong winds and low tide limiting water sources; they deployed seawater, tankers, a factory hydrant system, and extensive hose lines to contain the blaze. (businesstoday.com.my)
- •No deaths have been reported; Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim confirmed federal coordination with Sabah authorities to ensure immediate assistance, safety and temporary relocation for victims. (aljazeera.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Fire in Malaysia's Sabah destroys 1,000 homes, thousands displaced
1Where did the fire occur in Malaysia?
The fire occurred in a coastal village in Sandakan district, Sabah, on Borneo island.
2How many homes were destroyed in the Sabah fire?
Around 1,000 homes were destroyed in the fire.
3How many people were displaced by the Sabah fire?
Over 9,000 residents have been affected and displaced by the fire.
4What challenges did firefighters face in controlling the fire?
Strong winds, close proximity of wooden houses, and low tide conditions made it difficult to control the fire and obtain water.
5What is the Malaysian government doing to help those affected?
The federal government is coordinating with Sabah authorities to provide basic assistance and temporary relocation for affected residents.
