By Olivia Miwil
SANDAKAN: There was no hard feeling among firefighters here when villagers allegedly confronted them after a blaze at Kampung Bahagia.
Fire operations commander Jasri Ab Jalhas said such reactions are common in emergency situations involving loss of homes.
"This is a normal matter in any incident. When a fire happens, especially involving their homes, there will be parties who are not satisfied.
"We understand the situation. It is due to emotional pressure, particularly when it involves their houses being burned," he said when responding to a viral video circulating online showing firefighters being surrounded and confronted by villagers.
In a 30-second video, members of the public were heard shouting "Balik lah... Tiada guna" at the personnel.
On Sunday, authorities were alerted to the fire at the water village at about 1am.
Jasri said a total of 46 firefighters from the Sandakan and Kinabatangan fire stations were deployed to the scene.
"They were battling the blaze from about 1.30am until noon."
He said firefighters faced difficulties due to narrow access routes.
Low tide also made it difficult to reach an open water source, while strong winds fuelled the flames.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner George Abd Rakman was quoted as saying that more than 9,000 victims were made homeless.
As of 8am, only 1,115, or 12 per cent of victims, had been registered with the Sabah State Disaster Command Centre to seek shelter at evacuation centres in Sandakan.
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