Fire kills child, guts shop houses

PEKANBARU, Riau: A child was killed by fire which razed 14 shop houses on Friday.

An eyewitness said that the fire started at 9 a.m. and spread quickly, gutting shop houses, which were made of wood, Antara reported. While the buildings were on fire, one of the owners, who had already fled the house, returned to retrieve his valuables. He was followed by his child, who was then trapped by the fire and died.

The police are still investigating the cause of the fire. (sim)