Fire destroys houses

JAKARTA: Fire swept through dozens of houses in the densely- populated area of Kapuk, West Jakarta, early on Tuesday, leaving hundreds of people homeless.

At least 12 fire trucks were employed to put out the blaze, spokesman for the West Jakarta Fire Department, Suhartono said.

"Fire fighters took water from the nearby rivers to extinguish the fire in the densely populated area," he added. But the cause of the fire, which broke out at 1.45 a.m, is still unknown.

There were no reported casualties.

The number of fires reported in the capital has increased during the dry season.--Antara