Arson suspected in shop fire

DILI: Police suspect arson caused the fire which destroyed a shop and beauty parlor here early Wednesday.

No injuries were reported in the fire that razed the Sigma Sport shop and Salon New Sakura at about 5 a.m. No possessions were recovered from the buildings.

East Timor police chief Col. Atok Rismanto said his personnel needed a few more days to decide the fire's cause.

The beauty parlor's owner, Rina Supit T, said the fire could have cost her as much as Rp 300 million (US$130,000).

The fire occurred two days after fire destroyed two kiosks containing 40 drums of gasoline and diesel fuel in Liquisa, about 30 kilometers west of Dili.

Police in Liquisa have arrested three people suspected of arson. They are among a group of 10 people wanted for cases of violence. (33/pan)