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