2 days ago
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.
