Tawau Fire: Relief Centre Opens At Dewan Batu 8 To Shelter 200 Victims

TAWAU, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- A temporary relief centre (PPS) has been activated at Dewan Batu 8 here tonight to accommodate about 200 victims following a fire in Kampung Jawa, Batu 5 here last night.

Balung assemblyman Datuk Hamild Awang said the relief centre was set up to shelter 48 affected families, with around 200 individuals already registered with the Welfare Department.

"Among those registered are 100 males, including nine infants and 100 females. Of the victims, 178 are Malaysian citizens, while 22 are non-citizens," he said.

Tawau Fire and Rescue Station chief Jemishin Ujin said they were alerted of the fire at 12.55 am. The blaze destroyed 38 houses and claimed the life of a five-year-old boy, whose remains were found in one of the houses.

He added that firefighters managed to save 68 nearby homes and the operation ended at 5.59 am.

-- BERNAMA