KUALA LUMPUR - THREE thousand people living in a United Nations commune on the Malaysian island of Labuan were made homeless after a fire swept their compound, state news agency Bernama reported.

Bernama said that almost 800 homes were destroyed and that 130 firefighters were needed to put out the blaze.

It was the second time since 1996 that the UNHCR commune housing Malaysians and Filipinos has burnt down, Bernama said.

Labuan is home to thousands of Filipinos who were granted refugee status after fleeing turmoil in the southern Philippines in the 1970s and early 1980s. -- REUTERS