KOTA KINABALU: A fire at a Filipino refugee settlement in Telipok near here razed 23 squatter houses on Saturday (Sept 11) afternoon.

       Some 115 people were left homeless in the fire that started around 1pm.

       Sabah Fire and Rescue Services Department assistant director (operations) Misran Bisara said 30 firemen from both the Kota Kinabalu and Tuaran stations were dispatched to the area after receiving a distress call at 1.07pm.

       However, firemen had difficulty assessing the site due to narrow lanes leading to the refugee settlement, located about 17km from here.

       Vehicles parked along the lanes also hindered the rescue teams.

       However, he said firemen managed to bring the fire under control by 2.23pm and stopped it from spreading to the other houses.