BDN Sunter razed by fire

JAKARTA (JP): A fire destroyed a two-story office of state- owned Bank Dagang Negara's Sunter branch in North Jakarta yesterday.

The fire, which started at about 2 p.m., razed the office on Jl. Agung Utara, causing heavy traffic jams in the shopping and industrial area. No fatalities were reported.

North Jakarta Fire Brigade's Group Head, Hasan Amu, said the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit after the bank operated a diesel generator.

"The bank operated the generator because of an electricity blackout in the area for about 10 minutes. The electrical short circuit occurred when the electricity returned to normal," Hasan said.

He said the fire gutted a diesel fuel drum.

Thirty-one bank employees and customers fled when they saw the building, including the computer room on the second floor, burst into flames.

The bank's manager, who requested anonymity, said the losses have yet to be calculated.

"We managed to evacuate some computers and the bank's files," she told The Jakarta Post yesterday.

The fire brigade deployed five fire trucks and extinguished the fire at about 5:30 p.m.

Hasan said the fire brigade had problems extinguishing the fire because the office was made from flammable materials. The firefighters used water from a small river in front of the street.

Police officers installed a police line in front of the office. Some bank employees were questioned over the fire. (jun)