'All buildings need fire protection'

Around 50 people were killed when an entertainment center was burned in Palembang, South Sumatra. Local police said that the building had no proper fire exits. Jakarta also has many entertainment centers and other nightspots that lack adequate fire protection facilities, such as fire exits and fire extinguishers. Here's what some people have to say about it.

Rully, 24, is a student in a private university in Jakarta. He lives in Kemang subdistrict, South Jakarta. Rully said that he goes to discotheques at least once a month.

"Frankly speaking, before the incident in Palembang, I never thought about the danger of fire when I was in a discotheque. I don't think most visitors are aware of the danger of fire.

But I think it is the nightspots' operators who are responsible for the visitors' safety. Therefore, I hope that all entertainment centers ensure that their premises are completely safe and that visitors would be able to leave the room easily in case of fire. What happened in Palembang really frightened me.

Fatima Shahab, 29, is a housewife and an employee of a research company on Jl. Sudirman, Central Jakarta. She lives in the Kebon Melati area, also in Central Jakarta.

"I am always afraid of the possibility of fire in my office, which is located on the 20th floor of a 25-story building. I feel secure since my office has provided sufficient fire extinguishers.

Frankly speaking, I really wouldn't know what to do if a fire broke out in the building. I just hope that no one is trapped in the elevator if it (the fire) happens. May it never happen!

I am also afraid of a fire breaking out in my neighborhood, which is very crowded. Therefore, I have insured my house against fire. I always try to be extra careful with stoves and other electrical appliances and electricity itself. My husband regularly checks the electricity system in our house. We also have a fire extinguisher. You may think it is over the top, but I feel safer that way."

B. Pudji Hartono, is a senior employee at Bank Niaga on Jl. Jend. Sudirman, Central Jakarta. He and his family have been living in Bekasi, west of the city, for the past five years.

"I think the city has not fully empowering the fire brigade. Both the administration and the public lack knowledge about the risky profession of firefighting.

The poor condition of the firefighting department (its management, and the low salary of its personnel) has been cited as the main reason why the firefighters are often too slow to act when there is a fire.

Most Jakarta families live in densely populated areas which are vulnerable to fire. However, it seems to me that only a few people have sufficient awareness of the danger of fire.

"People in general and employees working in multistory buildings badly need proper training in fire prevention and firefighting.