KUALA LUMPUR - A devastating fire swept through a coastal village in Malaysia's Sabah state on Borneo island on Sunday (April 19), displacing thousands and destroying around 1,000 homes, according to the fire department.

Authorities were alerted to the blaze in the Sandakan district at approximately 1:32 AM, as stated by the district's fire and rescue chief, Jimmy Lagung.

"Strong winds and the close proximity of the houses caused the fire to spread rapidly, while low tide conditions also made it challenging to access an open water source," Lagung explained.

The incident occurred in one of Sabah's water villages, characterized by wooden houses built on stilts, which are home to some of the country's most vulnerable communities, including many stateless and indigenous groups.

More than 9,000 residents have been impacted by the fire, although Sandakan police reported that no fatalities have occurred, according to the state news agency Bernama.

In response to the disaster, Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that the federal government is collaborating with Sabah authorities to provide essential aid and temporary relocation for those affected.

"The priority now is the safety of the victims and immediate assistance on the ground," he mentioned in a Facebook post.