Fire destroys 15 houses in Menteng

Fire destroys 15 houses in Menteng

JAKARTA: A suspected electrical short circuit caused a fire
that destroyed 15 houses in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Friday,
leaving 20 families homeless.

The fire began at a house on Jl. Surabaya Timur at about 3:10
p.m. and quickly spread to nearby homes.

Nineteen fire trucks from the Central Jakarta Fire Agency were
sent to the scene and were eventually able to contain the blaze.

Jl. Surabaya is well known as a center of antique goods and
used goods.

A neighborhood leader, Agus Salim, told Antara news agency
that there were no casualties in the fire.

"Although Menteng area is known as a plush residential area,
most of the victims were from the lower-income bracket," he said.

Central Jakarta Mayor Petra Lumbun visited the site of the
fire, possibly because Menteng is home to many foreign diplomats
and high-ranking state officials.

"I call on all residents to be careful especially now that we
are in the dry season," said the mayor.

"The mayoralty will soon build communal kitchens and temporary
shelters for the victims," he added. -- JP