"A massive fire tore through a densely populated neighbourhood in Galung Tulu Village, Balanipa District, on Saturday night, leaving dozens of wooden homes reduced to ashes and more than a hundred residents affected. The blaze erupted at around 8:30 p.m. local time, just as residents were performing Tarawih prayers during Ramadan. Footage shows flames engulfing tightly packed wooden houses as residents gathered in shock, while firefighters struggled to contain the rapidly spreading inferno. According to local authorities, 47 households were impacted. At least 27 homes were completely destroyed, while 10 others sustained partial damage. In total, 173 residents were affected by the incident. "This caused the fire to spread more widely because many people were performing the Tarawih prayer at the time. I received a phone call while they were praying and immediately went straight to the scene," said Arifin Halin, head of the local fire department. Muhammad Syukri, the village secretary, reported hearing explosions during the blaze. "There were indeed sounds of explosions, possibly from gas cylinders. Another explosion was heard after nearly 20 houses had already burnt," he explained, suggesting the blasts intensified the destruction. Syukri added that a child initially feared missing was later found safe. One resident died after reportedly suffering a heart attack as his house burnt. The fire spread quickly, as most of the houses in the area were made of wood and built in close proximity to one another, leaving little buffer against the advancing flames. Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the fire. "