KOTA MARUDU: A massive blaze razed 20 food stalls-cum housing units at Kampung Tonsom here last night.
The blaze, which gutted an entire row of stalls popular for selling groundnuts, also left 80 people – including two infants – from 21 families homeless.
District police chief Superintendent Mohd Izaan Abdullah said the fire, which broke out at about 8pm, is believed to have started at stall number 24.
"The stall owner was out at the time, so other residents tried to put out the fire, but it spread to other stalls.
"No one was injured in the incident and the total loss has yet to be ascertained," he said in a statement.
The fire victims left homeless are now taking shelter at Tonsom hall, and the Welfare department is providing them with necessary assistance.
The district and fire station managed to put out the fire at 9.45pm.