Fire destroys 60 houses

PEKANBARU: Sixty shop-houses in Kuala Enok, Tanah Merah, Indragiri Hilir, Riau were destroyed in a fire that started at 8 p.m. on Monday, causing estimated total losses of Rp 75 billion (US$7.5 million).

Head of the regency's information office Muhammad Tahel said on Tuesday the fire was finally extinguished at 11 p.m. by three fire trucks deployed from the regental capital of Tembilahan.

"Kuala Enok is a crowded residential area and the center of the market area. The fire spread quickly since the shop-houses were mostly made of timber," Muhammad said.

The police are still investigating the fire but a preliminary report shows it was caused by an electrical short circuit. -- Antara