TAWAU: Eight houses were destroyed in a fire that broke out at a stilt squatter settlement in Kampung Cempaka Batu 4, Jalan Apas, at 9.15pm on Friday.
One woman, aged 50, suffered burns to her hands and was given emergency treatment at the scene.
Five of the houses were destroyed while three were about 10 per cent damaged, said the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM).
Twenty-five firefighters from the Tawau Fire and Rescue Station were dispatched to the scene after receiving a distress call via the MERS999 hotline at 9.24pm.
The operation was led by Assistant Fire Supt Maslan Sarman, with additional support from nine members of the Kg Titingan Community Fire Brigade.
Firefighters arrived at 9.30pm and faced difficulties extinguishing the blaze in the densely populated waterside settlement, which lacked fire hydrant facilities.
They used two 200-foot hose lines with two jets, sourcing water directly from the sea.
The fire was brought under control by 10.20pm and the operation concluded about an hour later after checks confirmed that all hazards had been secured.
Police, Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) and the Civil Defence Force (APM) also assisted in the operation.
