Tawau fire claims life of 12-year-old boy, destroys 30 houses

Tawau, Malaysia witnessed a tragic loss of life when a 12-year-old boy with autism, named Jackson Zack, perished in a devastating fire that swept through 30 houses in Kampung Sentosa. The unfortunate incident occurred this morning, with the young boy's body discovered by firefighters at around 10 am. Firefighters arrived at the scene swiftly, with the first fire engine reaching the location just three minutes after the emergency call was made at 6:44 am.

The fire initially targeted six houses, comprising both semi-permanent and non-permanent structures, before rapidly expanding and engulfing an additional 24 houses. Firefighting efforts commenced immediately upon the team's arrival, and the blaze was successfully contained by 8 am. While the fire claimed the life of one young boy, it also left a lasting impact on approximately 250 houses, showcasing the sheer magnitude of the disaster.

Rescue operations were a collaborative effort, involving 42 firefighters from the Tawau Fire and Rescue Station, backed by support from various agencies such as the police, Malaysian Civil Defence Force, People's Volunteer Corps (Rela), armed forces, Health Ministry, Sabah Water Department, and the Kampung Titingan Community Fire Brigade. The area impacted by the fire spanned an estimated 7,124.84 square meters, with all 30 houses tragically lost to the flames.