Authorities were notified of the fire in Sandakan district at ​around 1.32am, the district’s fire ​and rescue chief Jimmy Lagung was quoted ⁠as saying by Bernama.

“Strong winds and the close ​proximity of the houses caused the fire to ​spread rapidly, while low tide conditions also made it difficult to obtain an open water source,” Lagung said, ​according to Bernama.

The fire broke out in one ​of Sabah’s water villages, which feature wooden houses built on ‌stilts ⁠and are home to some of the country’s poorest communities, including many stateless and indigenous groups.

Around 445 people have been displaced so far, ​Bernama said, citing ​unofficial figures ⁠of people registered at a temporary relief centre in Sandakan.

Malaysia’s Prime ​Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the federal government ​was ⁠coordinating with Sabah authorities to provide basic assistance and temporary relocation for those affected.

“The priority now ⁠is ​the safety of the victims ​and immediate assistance on the ground,” he said in a Facebook ​post.