Fire claims 11 lives

Fire claims 11 lives

WAMENA, Irian Jaya: Eleven people died and two others suffered
serious burn injuries when a fire razed a house in Wagawaga
village, Jayawijaya regency.

Jumati, Jayawijaya's Assistant of Regional Administration
Secretary, told Antara that the fire started when one of the
victims knocked over an oil lamp in the Dani ethnic traditional
house which was constructed of wood and tall grass.

Out of the 13 people in the house, only two survived. They are
currently being treated at Wamena hospital.

Jumati blamed the flammable materials used in the house for
the swiftness of the fire. He added that there was no sufficient
ventilation with only a one small door as the single exit.

"When the house was in flames they had difficulty escaping,"
he said, adding that neighbors removed the charred unidentified
remains from the scene the next morning. (02)