Malaysia Declares Disaster Zone After Fire Destroys 1,200 Homes

Malaysia Declares Disaster Zone After Fire Destroys 1,200 Homes

KUALA LUMPUR, April 19, 2026 — A massive fire tore through a floating village near Sandakan in Malaysia’s Sabah state early Sunday, destroying around 1,200 homes and leaving more than 9,000 families without shelter, authorities said.

Despite the scale of the blaze, no deaths were reported, though several people were injured, local officials said.

The fire rapidly spread through the densely packed waterside settlement, where many homes were built close together on stilts or floating structures, making firefighting efforts difficult.

Authorities later declared the area a disaster zone and launched an emergency relief operation.

Five temporary evacuation centres were opened at schools and community halls to provide shelter, food and essential supplies for displaced residents.

Emergency responders were continuing damage assessments and investigating the cause of the fire.

Large fires are a recurring risk in informal coastal settlements across parts of Southeast Asia, where wooden structures, narrow access routes and dense populations can accelerate the spread of flames.

Officials said humanitarian assistance would continue while longer-term recovery plans are prepared for affected families.