Electronics market fire kills fireman<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A firefighter was killed in a big fire that
\ndestroyed the four-story Harco electronics shopping center on Jl.
\nMangga Dua, Sawah Besar district, Central Jakarta yesterday.<\/p>\n
Danu Sisworo, a team leader of the Central Jakarta fire
\nbrigade, was trapped in the fire which started at 5:30 a.m.<\/p>\n
The fire razed at least 150 offices and shops on the third and
\nfourth floors in the eastern part of building.<\/p>\n
Police have yet to determine the cause of the fire, which is
\nbelieved to have caused losses of billions of rupiah.<\/p>\n
Two security guards are being questioned over the fire at the
\nSawah Besar police subprecinct.<\/p>\n
On Thursday another fire destroyed almost 150 houses in the
\nsame district, leaving more than 1,000 people homeless. No
\nfatalities were reported.<\/p>\n
Central Jakarta Mayor Abdul Kahfi yesterday inspected the fire
\ndamage and donated Rp 12 million (US$5,000) to the fire victims.<\/p>\n
Yesterday's fire was first noticed by Frederick Bolang, a
\nsecurity guard, as it gutted the PT Agung Sedayu Group's
\nbuilding.<\/p>\n
Frederick called the Central Jakarta Fire Brigade after he and
\nfive other security guards failed to extinguish the fire which
\nwas spreading on the fourth floor.<\/p>\n
Six firefighters, led by Danu, arrived at about 7 a.m. and
\nentered the fourth floor via an emergency lift to search for
\nhydrants, but none worked.<\/p>\n
Danu's five friends managed to leave the building but he was
\ntrapped.<\/p>\n
Danu was seen waving for help from a window. He threw his
\nberet, belt and shoes through the window to attract attention.<\/p>\n
"Help me, help me. Please evacuate me," he called through two-
\nway radio, said a firefighter.<\/p>\n
His friends cried as they realized none of the fire engines
\nhad long ladder.<\/p>\n
The firefighters who braved the fire to rescue Danu, found the
\nbuilding emergency exit doors locked so they broke them down with
\ncrowbars and a chain saw.<\/p>\n
"How come the emergency doors were locked?" a firefighter,
\nSumedi, said.<\/p>\n
Sumedi said he checked the electric water pump in the
\nbuilding, but it did not work. "The automatic sprinklers did not
\nwork either," he said.<\/p>\n
The fire brigade deployed 25 fire engines, including three
\nwith ladders, to extinguish the fire and save Danu.<\/p>\n
The fire was put out at 10 a.m. but started again at the back
\nof the building which is connected to the Pesona Bahari
\nApartments.<\/p>\n
Five hours later at about 12:00 p.m., Danu's body was
\nevacuated.<\/p>\n
All the firefighters wept as they watched his body carried
\nout.<\/p>\n
The firefighters extinguished the fire at around 1:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
The Central Jakarta fire brigade's chief Freddy Alling said
\nthe building's design prevented the smoke from dispersing.<\/p>\n
The 2,000 meter-square building only had small windows. The
\ndistance between the floor and the windows was more than two
\nmeters too, making it difficult for officers to exit that way, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He said the building lacked fire safety equipment.<\/p>\n
At least eight people have been killed and thousands left
\nhomeless in more than 40 fires since January. (jun\/11\/04)<\/p>\n
Fireman -- Page 3<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/electronics-market-fire-kills-fireman-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }