Kunak village hideout of Sulu terrorists on fire

KUNAK - A fire that wiped out a Sulu terrorist hideout in this east coast town on Sunday is believed to have been triggered by a short circuit at one of the wooden stilt houses.

The 1.30am fire swept through the Kg Pangkalan settlement of mainly Bajau-Suluk communities here, leaving about 500 people from 89 local families homeless.

There have been no reports of any casualties after the fire was brought under control at about 5.20am before being completely put off at 8am.

Kunak firemen were assisted by their counterparts from Tawau as well as civil defence personnel and Rela members.

The Kunak district office is providing immediate assistance to the victims.

It was earlier reported that more than 1,500 people were left homeless after a fire razed 150 wooden stilt houses in the village which was the centre of a major security operations a week ago to detain six suspected Sulu terrorists.