Fire guts traditional Pasar Pagi Lama market

JAKARTA (JP): Traders and customers at the Pasar Pagi Lama market on Jl. Petak Baru in Tambora subdistrict, West Jakarta, watched helplessly as the market was razed by fire on Thursday afternoon.

No fatalities or injuries were reported in the incident.

West Jakarta fire fighters said on Thursday night that the cause of the fire was most probably firecrackers.

"We have not made a report yet, since all the fire engines are still at the scene," said Adi, a firefighter who had returned to the West Jakarta Fire Department.

"We will have to wait till all the engines return to the department."

The fire started at about 2 p.m. and was still raging at 7:30 p.m. At least 24 fire engines and their crew managed to control the blaze by 8:30 p.m. The fire engines remained at the scene for some time afterwards.

At least 60 kiosks at the market were razed and material losses have been estimated to reach hundreds of millions.

Many traders were seen crying at the scene, saying that they had lost not only their livelihood but also their memories of the market.

"The guys who shifted to the new Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua market in North Jakarta have nothing to worry about. We didn't move because we love the area. We've lost it," cried Ariana, a trader at the market.

Ime, a clothes trader, said he never expected the fire to burn down his kiosk.

"When I saw the other kiosks burning I did my best to save the kiosk, along with the firefighters. But we cannot fight nature," Ime said.

The Jakarta Post was unable to contact the head of Tambora district. (ylt)