Titingan : Fourth inferno in area

TAWAU: Some 500 people were left homeless when 50 stilt houses were destroyed in a fire at Kg Titingan, the fourth fire in the same area this year.

Firemen managed to stop the fire from spreading to SK Titingan. The students fled as thick smoke spread across their school at about 11.45am yesterday.

Tawau Fire and Rescue Depart­ment chief Mohd Zahar Abdullah said the fire spread quickly through the village as most of the houses were built close to each other. The fire was brought under control by 1pm.

Local authorities have begun registering the victims of the fire and welfare officials are making preparations to provide assistance.