SANDAKAN, April 27 -- As almost the entire Kampung Bahagia here was reduced to ashes in a massive fire that destroyed about 1,000 homes, the Darus Salam Mosque remained standing, becoming a symbol of hope for residents.

The mosque, located near the water village, was among the few buildings spared despite being encircled by flames in the blaze last Sunday.

Drone footage of the aftermath showed a structure about one metre from the mosque destroyed, with charred timber and twisted zinc sheets strewn across the area, while the mosque itself stood intact, prompting many residents to describe it as a miracle amid the devastation.

Kampung Bahagia chief and mosque chairman Sharif Hassim Sharif Titing said he witnessed the scene unfold before ...