SANDAKAN: Two families cheated death after a two-storey wooden house they lived in was destroyed in a fire at Simpang 4, Jalan Kampung Melayu, on Tuesday night.
Sandakan Fire and Rescue chief Jemishin Ujin said 13 personnel in two fire engines and one utility vehicle rushed to the scene upon receiving a distress call around 11.20pm.
However, upon arriving at the scene 14 minutes later, the 30×50 feet wooden house was 80 per cent burnt.
“The fire also destroyed a Datsun vehicle and affected two trucks that were parked nearby,” he said when met yesterday.
Meanwhile, Jemishin said the fire and rescue team had to locate an open water source due to the absence of hydrants near the scene.
“The operation, led by Devi Rashedee Engsoi, ended around 1.28am with water sourced from a nearby river,” he said.
The wooden house was occupied by two families working for a logistics company. From information, the fire started from a ground floor bedroom.
The cause of fire and estimated loss are still being investigated.