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Officials said strong winds and the close proximity of the structures helped fuel the fire, while narrow access routes and low tide conditions made it harder for emergency crews to reach affected areas and contain the flames.

No deaths have been reported, though thousands of residents have been forced from their homes and moved to temporary shelter.

Water villages — informal settlements built over the sea — are found along much of the coastline of Sabah, one of the poorest states in Malaysia. The homes are tightly packed, made from wood and other combustible materials, and often lack basic infrastructure. Many residents are from low-income or marginalized communities, including Indigenous groups and people without formal citizenship status.

Village head Sharif Hashim Sharif Iting was cited by Sabah's Daily Express newspaper as saying the cause was a cooking fire that got out of control. The cause of the fire has not been confirmed and remains under investigation.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said federal and state agencies were coordinating relief efforts, with immediate assistance focused on displaced families.

Fires in Sabah’s water villages have occurred repeatedly over the years. Sabah authorities have long acknowledged that water villages are highly fire-prone, but broader safety upgrades to such settlements remain an ongoing challenge.