Fire kills two men, friends suspect arson

Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor

Two male bodies have been found in a bed in a rented house that burnt down early on Thursday.

The victims are believed to be Ade Casmita and his close friend Mohamad Nurdin, who worked in the storeroom of textile factory PT Busana Perkasa Garmen on Jl. Raya Kedunghalang, Bogor.

The house in Kampung Tanahsewa, Ciparigi subdistrict, North Bogor, was rented by Ade, who converted part of the small house into a hairdressing salon.

A neighbor, Mrs. Yudhi, said that the residents became aware of the fire at about 5:15 a.m.

The blaze, which was believed to have been caused by an exploding stove, spread quickly to an adjacent food stall, which had been vacant for some time.

A number of security guards from the PT Winner textile factory, which is located just across from Ade's house, broke windows in the house in an effort to save the occupants.

"But there was no sign of anyone in the house, so we thought that Ade was staying over with a friend ... He often did that as he was still a bachelor. But after the firemen put out the fire, they and the police found Ade and his friend in bed," Mrs. Yudhi said.

Meanwhile, Nurdin's coworker, Anita, said that Nurdin had recently revealed he had received a death threat.

She said that Nurdin had received three text messages sent by Anang Ranger, a member of the police's paramilitary Mobile Brigade, who was currently posted to Maluku.

"The SMS read, 'I'll kill you when I get home.' Anang said he would be home next Tuesday. Nurdin became depressed and unwell while staying at Ade's house," Anita said.

Another friend of Nurdin, Boim, said that Anang's younger brother was also a friend of Nurdin's.

Apparently, the alleged death threats were connected with the fact that Anang had once rented a house in Kembang alley in Kedunghalang subdistrict, which was later occupied by his brother after Anang was sent to Maluku.

"His brother often asked me, Ade and Nurdin to come over, sometimes we brought our girlfriends. The householder didn't like it and threw us all out. When Anang's wife came home, she found out that they had lost the house because of us.

"I believe that it was not an exploding stove that caused the fire. Someone must have set it," Boim said.

North Bogor Police are currently investigating the blaze and have started to question witnesses.