Historic Kota Kinabalu Community Hall razed in fire
KOTA KINABALU (July 29): A landmark steeped in history, the 60-year-old Kota Kinabalu Community Hall was destroyed in a fire early Tuesday morning.
The blaze broke out around 12.30am at the hall located along Jalan Dewan, prompting an emergency response from the Kota Kinabalu, Lintas, and Penampang fire stations.
Kota Kinabalu Fire and Rescue Station chief Ordine Gilu said firefighters received the emergency call at 12.44am and managed to control the fire by 2.41am. The operation ended at 3.33am.
'The fire completely destroyed the hall and its storeroom. No casualties were reported,' he said, adding that the cause of the fire and estimated losses are still under investigation.
The Kota Kinabalu Community Hall has long been a vital venue for official functions, cultural performances, and public forums since the city's early development after independence.
Its destruction has been described as a major loss to the community and the local arts and cultural scene.
The hall was reportedly undergoing phased renovations, which had yet to fully begin.
Several local residents who witnessed the fire expressed shock and sorrow over the loss.
Lim Seng Fook, 74, who lives nearby, shared his heartbreak: 'I was very shocked to see the hall on fire. It is not just a building but part of the history and memory of this city.'
The National Month, Sabah Day and the 2025 Flag-Raising Campaign is scheduled to be launched at the Kota Kinabalu Community Hall on August 1. It is not known yet whether the event will be held at another place following the incident.
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The Sun
a day ago
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A devastating fire has completely gutted the iconic Kota Kinabalu Community Hall, bringing an end to six decades of the building's service to the local community. According to The Borneo Post, the historic venue, which has stood for 60 years along Jalan Dewan, in the state capital was engulfed in flames during the early hours of Tuesday morning at approximately 12.30am. Emergency services from three fire stations – Kota Kinabalu, Lintas, and Penampang – responded swiftly to the incident after receiving the distress call at 12.44am, according to Kota Kinabalu Fire and Rescue Station chief Ordine Gilu. Firefighting teams worked tirelessly for over two hours before successfully bringing the blaze under control at 2.41am, with operations concluding at 3.33am. 'Both the main hall structure and storage facility have been completely destroyed. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries or fatalities,' Gilu confirmed to the East Malaysian daily. Authorities are currently investigating the fire's origin and calculating the extent of financial damage caused by the incident. The community hall served as a cornerstone of Kota Kinabalu's cultural and civic life since the city's post-independence era, hosting numerous official ceremonies, artistic performances, and public gatherings throughout its operational years. Local arts and cultural advocates have described the loss as devastating for the community's heritage and creative sector. Reports indicate that renovation works were planned for the facility in phases, though these improvements had not yet commenced when the fire occurred. Nearby resident Lim Seng Fook, aged 74, witnessed the destruction firsthand and expressed his devastation: 'Seeing the hall ablaze was deeply shocking. This wasn't merely a structure – it represented decades of our city's heritage and collective memories.' The incident has cast uncertainty over the upcoming National Month, Sabah Day and 2025 Flag-Raising Campaign launch, originally scheduled to take place at the venue on August 1. Officials have yet to announce alternative arrangements for the event.
Borneo Post
2 days ago
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Historic Kota Kinabalu Community Hall razed in fire
The Kota Kinabalu Community Hall destroyed in an early morning fire. KOTA KINABALU (July 29): A landmark steeped in history, the 60-year-old Kota Kinabalu Community Hall was destroyed in a fire early Tuesday morning. The blaze broke out around 12.30am at the hall located along Jalan Dewan, prompting an emergency response from the Kota Kinabalu, Lintas, and Penampang fire stations. Kota Kinabalu Fire and Rescue Station chief Ordine Gilu said firefighters received the emergency call at 12.44am and managed to control the fire by 2.41am. The operation ended at 3.33am. 'The fire completely destroyed the hall and its storeroom. No casualties were reported,' he said, adding that the cause of the fire and estimated losses are still under investigation. The Kota Kinabalu Community Hall has long been a vital venue for official functions, cultural performances, and public forums since the city's early development after independence. Its destruction has been described as a major loss to the community and the local arts and cultural scene. The hall was reportedly undergoing phased renovations, which had yet to fully begin. Several local residents who witnessed the fire expressed shock and sorrow over the loss. Lim Seng Fook, 74, who lives nearby, shared his heartbreak: 'I was very shocked to see the hall on fire. It is not just a building but part of the history and memory of this city.' The National Month, Sabah Day and the 2025 Flag-Raising Campaign is scheduled to be launched at the Kota Kinabalu Community Hall on August 1. It is not known yet whether the event will be held at another place following the incident.
