Batik Keris factory on fire

Batik Keris factory on fire

SURAKARTA, Central Java: Fire broke out at the Batik Keris
garment factory on Monday, reportedly causing substantial damage
and slight injuries to four workers.

The Antara news agency reported yesterday that the fire,
which broke out at about 9.30 a.m. and was extinguished at 12
p.m., affected several buildings, though losses have yet to be
estimated.

The fire caused panic among the 1,400 workers on the early
shift but there were no reports of fatalities, chief of the
Sukoharjo military district Lt. Col. J.M. Manurung said.

It was put under control after two fire trucks and military
personnel were called in, eyewitnesses said.

Manurung said the workers were injured by the falling debris
from the roof.

PT Batik Keris, which occupies a 75-hectare area in the
Sukoharjo industrial estate, employs more than 9,700
workers.(pan)