A homestay owner in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, has accused a group of tourists from China of causing severe damage to his property after allegedly setting off the fire alarm, which activated the sprinkler system and flooded the house.
The incident took place around 2am on Aug 14, just two hours after the tourists checked in.
Sprinkler system flooded entire house
The owner claimed that the guests, led by a man surnamed Guan, triggered the fire alarm inside the unit.
This activated the automatic sprinkler system, flooding the entire homestay.
Photos shared on Xiaohongshu showed rooms submerged in water, with furniture, flooring, ceilings, and electrical appliances badly damaged.
CCTV footage also captured the tourists leaving the property in the middle of the night with their luggage.
The owner suspected the tourists may have been smoking indoors or using prohibited devices, which set off the fire alarm.
He said the sprinklers not only caused flooding but also led to short circuits, leaving TVs, beds, and household items completely destroyed.
Guests disappeared after promising to contact
The owner said the group left in a rush and did not report the matter.
Six hours later, they left a short message saying they would handle the issue but have since disappeared. Attempts to reach them via phone and WeChat were unsuccessful too.
The damage was estimated at more than RM20,000. The owner said the house requires a full renovation, including new furniture, electronics, flooring, and wall repairs.
The owner has urged the tourists to come forward and take responsibility for the losses. He also asked the public to share information that may help trace them.
Police report and embassy contacted
A police report has been filed, and partial details of the main tourist have been obtained. The owner has also contacted the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia for assistance in reaching the guests.
In his post, the owner asked netizens who had faced similar experiences for advice on how to seek compensation from foreign tenants who flee after causing property damage.
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