Electronics market fire kills fireman

JAKARTA (JP): A firefighter was killed in a big fire that destroyed the four-story Harco electronics shopping center on Jl. Mangga Dua, Sawah Besar district, Central Jakarta yesterday.

Danu Sisworo, a team leader of the Central Jakarta fire brigade, was trapped in the fire which started at 5:30 a.m.

The fire razed at least 150 offices and shops on the third and fourth floors in the eastern part of building.

Police have yet to determine the cause of the fire, which is believed to have caused losses of billions of rupiah.

Two security guards are being questioned over the fire at the Sawah Besar police subprecinct.

On Thursday another fire destroyed almost 150 houses in the same district, leaving more than 1,000 people homeless. No fatalities were reported.

Central Jakarta Mayor Abdul Kahfi yesterday inspected the fire damage and donated Rp 12 million (US$5,000) to the fire victims.

Yesterday's fire was first noticed by Frederick Bolang, a security guard, as it gutted the PT Agung Sedayu Group's building.

Frederick called the Central Jakarta Fire Brigade after he and five other security guards failed to extinguish the fire which was spreading on the fourth floor.

Six firefighters, led by Danu, arrived at about 7 a.m. and entered the fourth floor via an emergency lift to search for hydrants, but none worked.

Danu's five friends managed to leave the building but he was trapped.

Danu was seen waving for help from a window. He threw his beret, belt and shoes through the window to attract attention.

"Help me, help me. Please evacuate me," he called through two- way radio, said a firefighter.

His friends cried as they realized none of the fire engines had long ladder.

The firefighters who braved the fire to rescue Danu, found the building emergency exit doors locked so they broke them down with crowbars and a chain saw.

"How come the emergency doors were locked?" a firefighter, Sumedi, said.

Sumedi said he checked the electric water pump in the building, but it did not work. "The automatic sprinklers did not work either," he said.

The fire brigade deployed 25 fire engines, including three with ladders, to extinguish the fire and save Danu.

The fire was put out at 10 a.m. but started again at the back of the building which is connected to the Pesona Bahari Apartments.

Five hours later at about 12:00 p.m., Danu's body was evacuated.

All the firefighters wept as they watched his body carried out.

The firefighters extinguished the fire at around 1:30 p.m.

The Central Jakarta fire brigade's chief Freddy Alling said the building's design prevented the smoke from dispersing.

The 2,000 meter-square building only had small windows. The distance between the floor and the windows was more than two meters too, making it difficult for officers to exit that way, he said.

He said the building lacked fire safety equipment.

At least eight people have been killed and thousands left homeless in more than 40 fires since January. (jun/11/04)

Fireman -- Page 3