Fire at ministry building sabotage

Fire at ministry building sabotage

The fire that gutted part of the Ministry of Industry and Trade building Saturday morning was likely sabotage, as explosives were found at the site, authorities said.

On Monday, the director of the police laboratory and forensic center, Brig.Gen. Hamim Suryaamidjaja, said gasoline and explosives were discovered on the ninth and 10th floors of the building, which is located at Jl. Ridwan Rais 5, Central Jakarta,

In the end, no casualties was reported; export and import documents on textile and mining products, however, were completely destroyed in the blaze.

There was "an element of sabotage because at the scene, we found explosive materials," consisting of hydrocarbons and gasoline, Hamim told detik.com.

Rooms damaged included those of the Director of Industrial Export, and the office of the representative of PT Sucofindo; ashes were found to indicate the composition of the bombs.--JP