413 kiosks burned down

413 kiosks burned down

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: As many as 413 out of a total 600 kiosks were burned down on Thursday evening at Sentral Market, Maros regency, 30 kilometers from Makassar.

The fire started at 7:30 p.m. and was completely extinguished by 11 p.m. with the help from of Makassar firemen and the Navy.

No casualties were reported, but vendors suffered billions of rupiah in material losses as they failed to save their stock.

Makassar Police chief Sr. Comr. Yose Rizal Effendy said their forensic team was still investigating the cause of the fire.

Maros Regent Najamuddin downplayed the people's suspicions that the fire was a result of arson, set to move the vendors to a new market built nearby. The vendors refused to move, saying they could not afford the cost of a new kiosk.

Najamuddin also urged the vendors not to build their kiosks at Sentral Market, but to move to the new market instead. -- JP