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A fire that occurred on Sunday in a coastal village in Sabah state, Borneo island, Malaysia, led to the displacement of thousands of people as approximately 1,000 homes were destroyed, according to the local fire department.

The fire in the Sandakan district was reported to authorities at approximately 1:32 a.m. (1732 GMT), according to a statement from the district’s fire and rescue chief, Jimmy Lagung.

“Intense winds and the nearness of the homes led to the fire spreading quickly, while low tide also hindered access to a water source,” Lagung stated.

A fire erupted in one of Sabah’s water villages, where wooden homes are constructed on stilts and serve as residences for some of the nation’s most disadvantaged populations, including numerous stateless and indigenous people.

More than 9,000 residents have been impacted by the fire, although no fatalities have been announced, said Sandakan police, as reported by the state news agency Bernama.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that the federal government is working alongside Sabah officials to deliver essential support and temporary housing for those impacted.

“The main focus is currently on the safety of the victims and providing urgent support on the scene,” he stated in a Facebook update.