9,000 people displaced by a fire in a Borneo village
AP News
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A fire has destroyed about 1,000 homes in a Malaysian coastal settlement on Borneo Island, displacing over 9,000 people.
The blaze started early Sunday in the Sandakan district, spreading rapidly through wooden houses on stilts.
Authorities said strong winds and narrow access routes hindered firefighting efforts.
No deaths have been reported, but thousands of people are in temporary shelters.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Many affected residents are from low-income communities.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said federal and state agencies are coordinating relief efforts, focusing on displaced families.
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