Sandakan Fire: Family Home Built 30 Years Ago Destroyed In Minutes

By Khatijah Jistoh

SANDAKAN, April 21 (Bernama) -- No words can describe the heartbreak of seeing a home built by a late husband more than 30 years ago reduced to ashes in the blink of an eye.

For Dambung Norin, 55, one of the victims of the massive fire in Kampung Bahagia here, the house was not merely a shelter, but a “time capsule” holding countless cherished memories with her children and late husband.

Recounting the harrowing moments, Dambung said she and her daughter initially saw the fire still far away at the end of the village near an oil factory area. Her son and son-in-law had rushed to help villagers put out the flames.

“We never imagined the fire would spread so quickly to the front and engulf our home. Nothing could be saved except important documents. Even cash meant for family expenses was destroyed,” she told Bernama today.

Last Sunday, a major fire in the water village of Kampung Bahagia destroyed about 1,000 homes, affecting an area of more than four hectares.

Now sheltering in a tent donated by friends in an open area near the site of her home, Dambung estimates her losses at around RM50,000.

She hopes for assistance from the government or non-governmental organisations, particularly in the form of timber building materials, to enable her to rebuild her house on the same site.

For Rizma Baharin Nasirun, 34, the tragedy took away her most precious wedding gift from her father. Her losses exceed RM50,000, as she had just completed furnishing her home with a new sofa set and decorations for the recent Aidilfitri celebration.

“It is heartbreaking because this house was not just property, but a memory and a legacy from my father. For now, I plan to continue staying in a tent here until housing assistance is provided,” she said.

Rizma added that renting a house is not an easy option, given the current cost of living and rental deposits amounting to thousands of ringgit, which are a heavy burden for those who have just lost everything.

Misfortune also befell Ibrahim Mamat, 58, a bus driver who has lived in the village since 1984. His house and grocery shop were completely destroyed, with losses estimated at RM80,000.

His pain was compounded by the loss of his wife’s cherished sewing machine, which was forgotten and left behind in the chaos of trying to salvage items from his shop.

“I am still at a loss about what to do next, and can only hope for housing assistance, rebuilding materials or financial aid,” lamented Ibrahim.

He has been forced to sleep at the ruins of his home to guard the remaining grocery items, while his wife is sheltering at a temporary relief centre.

-- BERNAMA