Fire destroys Bandung market

BANDUNG (JP): A fire destroyed at least 320 of 410 kiosks at Bandung's Ancol market on Tuesday night and was only put out in the early hours of Wednesday. Losses were estimated at Rp 4 billion. No casualties were reported.

The market was closed when the fire began. Traders generally oprate between 4 a.m. and 4 p.m.. Asep, a rice trader who witnessed the fire, said it started in the middle area of the market, where many flammable things such as household items were sold. The deteriorating condition of the market, and difficult access for firefighters, was thought to have hampered efforts to put it out. (43)