Balaraja boy killed in gas fire

JAKARTA (JP): A three-year-old boy was killed when a fire destroyed a house also used as a gasoline stand on Jl. Cagak, Balaraja, Tangerang on Friday.

The body of the victim, Jeliande, was taken to the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital morgue, while his parents, Rosita Hutapea and Sahat Samosir, were being treated at Tangerang General Hospital for burns.

A relative of the victim, Hence Hutapea, said the fire was caused by a kerosene stove explosion in the house.

The fire then spread to a nearby gasoline drum next to where the boy was playing.

Neighbors, who reportedly found Jeliande dead at the scene, managed to quickly extinguish the blaze before it could spread to nearby structures.

In the afternoon, another fire gutted a party equipment rental store on Jl. Raya Pasar Minggu KM 17 in South Jakarta.

No fatalities were reported and the cause of the fire at the Virgo rental shop was still under investigation, South Jakarta fire department chief Sukendar said.

At least 15 fire engines were deployed to the scene after the blaze was reported at 3:30 p.m. With the help of the local residents, the fire was put out two hours later. (jun/ivy)