100 hotel rooms gutted by fire

DENPASAR, Bali: At least 100 rooms of four hotels and five cottages packed tightly together at the tourist resort Kuta Beach, were razed by fire Saturday.

No casualties were reported, but financial losses could reach billions of rupiah, Antara said.

"There were no casualties because most tourists at the time were outside, on the beach," said Wayan Suteja, head of Badung fire station.

The hotels affected include Grand Kumala Hotel, Sari Bunga Hotel and Bali Subak Hotel. Legian Garden Cottages and Purnama Bungalow were also affected.

There are no details yet about the cause of the fire that broke out about 4 p.m., but the news agency said it started from a makeshift building where construction workers were staying. (swe)