SANDAKAN: Two men were slightly injured while escaping from a fire broke out at a cinema near here at about 3.30pm.

Sandakan Fire and Rescue Department chief Anddre Andrew said both had been sent to Duchess of Kent hospital for treatment.

"The fire occurred at the lower level of the two- storey building although there was a thick smoke.

"It was brought under control at 455pm, about an hour after receiving distress call," he said, adding that 26 fire personnel were dispatched to the scene.