Blazes reach record number, Jakarta Fire Department says

Blazes reach record number, Jakarta Fire Department says

JAKARTA (JP): The number of fires recorded in the capital so
far this year has already reached a new annual record of 1,186
cases, compared to a previous high of 1,082 fires in 1982.

"It's the highest record based on available data since the
establishment of the Jakarta Fire Department in 1918," the office
head, Suharso, told reporters Monday.

According to the data, this year's fires have so far killed 38
people, including 15 victims in Monday's fire in the Bank
Indonesia tower.

The data reveals a rough estimation of Rp 90 billion (US$20
million) in financial losses in the 1997 fires, Suharso said.

Last year, the city recorded 721 fires, with 14 dead and 64
injured. Financial losses totaled Rp 49.5 billion.

According to Suharso, the significant increase in the number
of fires recorded in the city this year was mostly sparked by the
recent prolonged dry season, a lack of fire safety equipment in
many buildings and a lack of fire safety awareness.

"We've learned that people in buildings, including the
sophisticated skyscrapers, which are equipped with fire
extinguishers do not know how to use them," he said.

Suharso said that this year's prolonged drought had dried up
many rivers and water sources normally used by fire fighters in
and around the capital, making it difficult for them to combat
fires.

High temperatures associated with the dry season also led to
many fires spreading, he said without mentioning the possible
role of global warming.

His office also found that some high-rise buildings were not
equipped with fire extinguishers or emergency doors.

Jakarta today is home to about 650 skyscrapers.

Suharso predicted that the number of fires would rise further
in the next few years if the fire department failed to procure
proper equipment and if the regulations requiring high-rise
buildings to have fire safety equipment were not enforced.

For example, he said, the city only had one fire truck
equipped with a 50-meter extension ladder.

"With skyscrapers being built more and more, we need much
better equipment," he said.

Suharso said all firefighters were supposed to wear fireproof
clothing, but in fact only one firefighter on each fire truck had
been provided with this standard clothing. (ind)