Bogor market burns, destroying 600 kiosks

Bogor market burns, destroying 600 kiosks

BOGOR (JP): A big fire destroyed the three-story Pasar Kebon Kembang market in Bogor, West Java, yesterday, destroying the sites of more than 1,000 traders. No fatalities were reported.

Eyewitnesses said the fire started at about 5:00 a.m in Block B on the third floor. The fire soon spread to other blocks on the third floor.

Bogor Police Chief Lt. Col. MA Zainal Abidin said an intensive investigation was underway. He said the National Police Forensic Laboratory was involved.

The fire lasted over seven hours and destroyed the building, 600 kiosks, and a Ramayana Department Store, causing losses of at least Rp 20 billion, Antara said.

Eye witnesses said that the fire razed the second and first floor soon after the top floor. The traders were running about in a mad flap to try and save what they could. Most had to abandon their goods and kiosks to the roaring flames. Security officers had to stop the traders from braving the flames to save their belongings. Hundreds of traders finally just watched the fire gutting their kiosks helplessly.

The market building, located on Jl. Dewi Sartika, was constructed in 1989. However, the local administration never officially inaugurated it. Before the renovation, Pasar Kebon Kembang was called Pasar Anyar, which was itself razed by fire twice.

Yesterday's fire was the second big conflagration in Bogor after the Internusa Shopping Center on Feb. 28.

Twelve fire engines from Bogor and Jakarta were dispatched to the site, and traffic was practically brought to a halt.

Fire fighters said that they found it difficult to find water in the market area. All the hydrants were empty, forcing them to shuttle to and fro to find water elsewhere, including Bogor Palace.

The fire fighters also found it difficult to get into the market building as the corridors, which were designed for vehicles coming into and leaving the market place on the ground floor were all blocked by kiosks. (sur)