A devastating fire broke out early this morning, Monday, 16 March 2026, at a used vehicle storage facility in Tuaran, Sabah, destroying approximately 700 cars. The Sabah Fire and Rescue Department received an emergency call at 4:30 AM and deployed multiple teams from the Tuaran and Kota Belud stations. Despite the intensity of the blaze, firemen managed to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby residential structures and a neighboring warehouse.

Initial investigations suggest that the fire may have started in a central pile of scrapped vehicles before spreading rapidly due to dry weather and strong winds. No casualties or injuries were reported in the incident, as the facility was unoccupied at the time the fire started. The total estimated loss is expected to run into millions of ringgit, affecting several local used-car dealers who utilized the lot for overflow inventory.

The department’s forensics team is currently on-site to determine the exact cause of the fire, with a full report expected within the next 48 hours. Authorities have also advised residents in the surrounding areas to wear masks due to the heavy smoke and potential chemical fumes from burning tires and upholstery. This incident has prompted local councils to review safety and fire prevention standards for open-air vehicle storage yards across the state.