Fire claims two offices, eight cars

Fire claims two offices, eight cars

JAKARTA (JP): At least eight cars and two buildings were
burned in a fire at a vehicle repair and service shop on Jl.
Masjid, Petukangan Utara, Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, Thursday
evening.

There were no fatalities reported. However, police found the
smoldering remains of three Mercedez vehicles among the wreckage.

Police initial estimates of losses are around Rp 500 million
(over US$230,000). The other five cars that were burned were two
VW cars, one Mitsubishi L-300 minibus, one Mitsubishi Lancer and
one Kijang Super minibus.

Besides the Lila Motor repair shop, a nearby furniture shop
was also burned, along with several items inside of the building.

The cause of the 90-minute fire, which started around 6 p.m.,
is being investigated. However, police quoted several workers at
the repair shop and the nearby furniture shop as saying that fire
was seen to have broken out near a VW car which was being
painted.

"Perhaps, there was a cigarette that sparked some thinner
liquid near the car," City Police spokesman, Lt. Col. A. Latief
Rabar, surmised.

Speaking to reporters, Latief said that officers from the
National Police Forensic Laboratory were scheduled to come to the
scene today to collect all possible samples find at the location
for further investigation.

"So far, eight people, consisting of workers and owners of the
two buildings, have been questioned by the local police," the
spokesman said. (bsr)