Fire destroys two shops in Pasar Pagi

JAKARTA (JP): Two shops were razed by fire at the Pasar Pagi wholesale business center, West Jakarta, yesterday afternoon, paralyzing business activity there for half the day.

The fire reportedly started at around 3 p.m. in a toy shop owned by PT Bina Alam Indonesia, on the second floor of the three story building on Jl. Petak Baru.

"From there, the fire spread in all directions," said Marsono, chief of the West Jakarta fire department.

The fire later spread to the adjacent PT Parahyangan textile store, throwing hundreds of store owners around the area into panic. The area, known here as Pasar Pagi wholesale business center, is one of the biggest wholesale markets in the city.

Many traders closed their shops and desperately tried to save valuable items, fearing that fire would spread to other buildings in the area.

"We were worried that fire engines would come late," said a store owner. He added that he was thankful that the blaze could be contained in a relatively short time because the firemen arrived on the scene quickly.

The 11 engines, which arrived 15 minutes after the report of the blaze was received, successfully prevented the fire from spreading to other stores in the area.

"The existence of two rivers nearby, River Asemka and River Angke, was very helpful. We did not need to go a long way to get water," said a fire fighter.

Tambora police chief Maj. Endang Sofyan M. told reporters he has put the owner of PT Bina Alam Indonesia, Leo Sumantri, in custody for investigation.

"So far the investigation has found that Leo did not, in fact, own the premises but rented it to other people instead. However, the investigation needs at least two days before we discover the cause of the fire," he said.

Marsono said he thought the fire was caused by a short circuit.

Police had yet to calculate the losses caused by the fire. (jsk)