Fire destroys homes in Jatinegara

Nearly 400 people have been forced to seek temporary shelter after fire destroyed dozens of homes in the densely-populated Balimester subdistrict, Jatinegara in East Jakarta. Tuesday's fire ravaged neighborhood units 9, 10 and 11 leaving 395 people from 79 families homeless, a neighborhood official said. No injuries were reported. The fire was sparked by an explosion from an oil stove at 4 p.m, witnesses said. The fire spread quickly as most of the houses in the area were made of wood. As many as 12 fire engines were deployed to the scene but the single narrow path to the affected area hampered efforts to douse the fire. --JP