Kota Marudu stall fire leave 21 families homeless

KOTA KINABALU: Eighty people from 21 families yesterday were left homeless in a fire involving 21 stalls at Kampung Tonson, Kota Marudu, about 131km from here.
Kota Marudu District Police chief Supt Mohd Izaan Abdullah said the victims comprising 32 men, 29 women, four boys and 13 girls as well as one male and one female toddlers had been living at the stalls.
"They are temporarily sheltered at Dewan Kampung Tonson and provided assistance by the Social Welfare Department, he said in a statement today.
He said initial investigations found that the fire started at one of the stalls.
"There is no loss of life or injury. The losses have not been estimated," he said, adding that firefighters managed to douse the flames by 9.45pm.
Mohd Izaan said Kota Marudu member of parliament Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili had visited the site and met with the victims.
The roadside stalls selling snacks like homegrown peanuts, near Simpang Tiga Langkun in Kota Marudu, were very popular with motorists and visitors from Kota Kinabalu to Kudat or Kota Marudu. — Bernama