Fire razes part of shopping center<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A fire razed hundreds of shops and offices at
\nthe crowded Senen shopping center in Central Jakarta yesterday,
\ncausing an estimated loss of billions of rupiahs.<\/p>\n
No fatalities were reported in the fire which lasted from
\nshortly after Friday midnight to Saturday evening.<\/p>\n
But witnesses feared two shop owners who tried to evacuate
\ntheir merchandises were killed in the fire.<\/p>\n
As of late yesterday, the fate of the two people remained
\nunknown. The estimated number of destroyed shops and other
\nfacilities located in Block 4 and 5 of the market is 750 units.<\/p>\n
Among them were the Ramayana Department Store, Duta Theatre,
\nMitra Cahaya, Bank Danamon, Bank Jaya, and stores selling
\nelectronic goods.<\/p>\n
Authorities said they are still investigating the cause of the
\nfire that burned two of the six blocks of the shopping center.<\/p>\n
The fire is believed to be among the worst after six earlier
\nfires since 1974.<\/p>\n
Based on experience and witnesses' accounts, police and
\nfirefighters believe the flame was caused by a short circuit at
\nBlock 4 which later spread to Block 5.<\/p>\n
Both blocks are managed by the city-owned property firm, PT
\nPembangunan Jaya. Other parts of the market are managed by the
\ncity-owned market firm PD Pasar Jaya.<\/p>\n
Witnesses said the flare at two of the six blocks of the
\nshopping center was first seen around midnight from a movie
\ntheater.<\/p>\n
About 250 firefighters and 30 fire engines were deployed to
\nthe scene but were hampered by the market's fire safety system.<\/p>\n
Chief of the Jakarta Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Suharso, said
\na major constraint was also the various types of rolling doors of
\nthe shops, besides the narrow alleys.<\/p>\n
"Worst, the thick smoke coming from burning material, such as
\noil and furniture, made us difficult to pass through the
\nbuildings," Suharso said.<\/p>\n
As of yesterday evening, thick smoke still surrounded the
\nrazed buildings.<\/p>\n
Ten people, including the shopping center's security guards
\nhave been questioned, according to head of the Central Jakarta
\nPolice Lt.Col. M. Ibrahim.<\/p>\n
An executive from PT Jaya Real Property, which rented the
\nbuilding spaces, said there were 300 kiosks rented in the four-
\nstory Block 4 building and 900 units in the eight-story Block 5.<\/p>\n
The two blocks are popular as the one of the largest centers
\nfor automobile services, spareparts and accessories. Other items
\nsold here are electronic goods, textile, jewelry and furniture.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of police and military personnel were ordered to
\nsecure the arena as many shopowners as well as strangers were
\ntrying to get into the ravaged buildings, where police forensic
\nexperts were collecting evidence.<\/p>\n
Shopowners said most of them have not insured their
\nmerchandises.<\/p>\n
The buildings, however, have been insured, said Tanto
\nKurniawan from PT Pembangunan Jaya, the management of the
\nshopping center.<\/p>\n
Since 1977 four fires destroyed the Inpres Senen Market alone.
\nThe Inpres market housing more than 2,000 kiosks is part of the
\nSenen market, set up to accommodate street traders who cannot
\nafford expensive market rents. (bsr\/07)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/fire-razes-part-of-shopping-center-1447893297",
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