Fire guts Bali provincial legislative building

DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Fire gutted the Madya Mandala provincial legislative council building in the wee hours of Thursday, resulting in millions of rupiah in losses.

No fatalities or injuries were reported in the fire, but all documents and furnishings on the third floor were destroyed.

The third floor was the center for administrative work.

Police temporarily sealed off the traditional Balinese-style structure, pending a further probe into the blaze. Legislators and staff of the council's secretariat were among those prohibited from entering the building.

"The fire started around 12:30 a.m. Results of the preliminary investigation have revealed that a short circuit was the likely cause of fire. We won't jump to the conclusion that the incident was arson," Bali Police chief Brig. Gen. Togar Sianipar said.

Four night security guards in the building and two other witnesses were questioned in relation to the fire, Togar said.

It took 16 fire engines two hours to extinguish the fire.

Almost all of the third level was ruined, but the other floors, where the plenary hall is located, remains intact.

Bali Governor Dewa Beratha, Deputy Governor I Gusti Alit Putra and Secretary of Bali Administration Putu Wijanaya, whose offices lie opposite the burning building, were seen observing the fire.

The council's secretary, I Nyoman Yasa, said security personnel arrested four people who were seen leaving the council's compound after the fire broke out. Police found ropes and an iron bar in their car. The license plates were from outside Bali.

A few hours later, fire also razed a police housing complex in Sanglah, three kilometers west of the council building, leaving nine houses leveled.

No fatalities were reported in the incident. Officials said the fire was probably caused also by a short circuit.

Four fire engines were deployed to extinguish the fire at 10:05 a.m. (zen/edt)