Confidential police documents destroyed in fire

KOTA KINABALU - Confidential documents kept neatly at the public relations office of the state Police Headquarters (IPK) were destroyed by fire yesterday afternoon.

It is still unknown how many documents were destroyed when the fire, believed to have started around 1.30pm, destroyed not only important documents but also furniture and other equipment on the fourth floor of IPK Building in Kepayan. Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun said police were still investigating the damages caused by the fire.

“We are still investigating the cause of the fire, including total damages but thankfully no one was hurt in the incident,” he said.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson from the Fire and Rescue Department said a distress call was received at 1.51pm and three fire engines with 23 personnel were sent to the scene within minutes.

“We managed to control the fire from spreading to other blocks and the fire was totally put out by 2pm,” said the spokesperson, adding that the operation ended around 2.25pm.

Firefighters are still investigating the cause of the fire which is believed due to a short-circuit.