Blazes reach record number, Jakarta Fire Department says<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The number of fires recorded in the capital so
\nfar this year has already reached a new annual record of 1,186
\ncases, compared to a previous high of 1,082 fires in 1982.<\/p>\n
\"It's the highest record based on available data since the
\nestablishment of the Jakarta Fire Department in 1918,\" the office
\nhead, Suharso, told reporters Monday.<\/p>\n
According to the data, this year's fires have so far killed 38
\npeople, including 15 victims in Monday's fire in the Bank
\nIndonesia tower.<\/p>\n
The data reveals a rough estimation of Rp 90 billion (US$20
\nmillion) in financial losses in the 1997 fires, Suharso said.<\/p>\n
Last year, the city recorded 721 fires, with 14 dead and 64
\ninjured. Financial losses totaled Rp 49.5 billion.<\/p>\n
According to Suharso, the significant increase in the number
\nof fires recorded in the city this year was mostly sparked by the
\nrecent prolonged dry season, a lack of fire safety equipment in
\nmany buildings and a lack of fire safety awareness.<\/p>\n
\"We've learned that people in buildings, including the
\nsophisticated skyscrapers, which are equipped with fire
\nextinguishers do not know how to use them,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Suharso said that this year's prolonged drought had dried up
\nmany rivers and water sources normally used by fire fighters in
\nand around the capital, making it difficult for them to combat
\nfires.<\/p>\n
High temperatures associated with the dry season also led to
\nmany fires spreading, he said without mentioning the possible
\nrole of global warming.<\/p>\n
His office also found that some high-rise buildings were not
\nequipped with fire extinguishers or emergency doors.<\/p>\n
Jakarta today is home to about 650 skyscrapers.<\/p>\n
Suharso predicted that the number of fires would rise further
\nin the next few years if the fire department failed to procure
\nproper equipment and if the regulations requiring high-rise
\nbuildings to have fire safety equipment were not enforced.<\/p>\n
For example, he said, the city only had one fire truck
\nequipped with a 50-meter extension ladder.<\/p>\n
\"With skyscrapers being built more and more, we need much
\nbetter equipment,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Suharso said all firefighters were supposed to wear fireproof
\nclothing, but in fact only one firefighter on each fire truck had
\nbeen provided with this standard clothing. (ind)<\/p>",
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