Man detained over fire which destroyed 60 houses in Tawau

TAWAU: Police have detained a man for investigation in connection with a fire which destroyed 60 squatter houses at Block 6, 7 and 8 of Kampung Titingan here early today.
Tawau district police chief ACP Fadil Marsus said the suspect, aged 47, was believed to have set fire to his rented house at Block 8 after the owner ordered him to evict the premises for failing to pay the rental.
"According to the resident, the fire started at a house occupied by a man by the name of Talak who set fire to his rented house.
"However, the police are investigating the motive," he said in a statement here today.
He said the suspect, who had no previous record, tested positive for drugs.

The fire, which broke out about 12.45am, left about 300 people with only the clothes on their back.
Fadil said there was no report of a casualty in the fire, but an Indonesian man, identified as Sabon Ola, 83, died after he fainted at the scene of the fire.
According to his son, Sabon, who had heart problems, died of old age, he said. — Bernama