Fire rages in downtown Pontianak

PONTIANAK: A apparent electrical short caused a spark in one house in downtown that led to a massive fire at about 1:45 p.m. local time Thursday, burning to the ground at least 15 other houses and one shop on Gajah Mada boulevard and the adjacent Ismail Marzuki avenue.

As the fire raged until 3 p.m. local time, the low-rent area, known for its high population density and traffic congestion, came to a complete stand-still as pedestrians and vehicle operators stopped to gape as the fire engulfed the buildings.

Some of the houses were of the two-story variety and many were in empty as the occupants were said to be out of the house, working.

The local authorities had yet to issue an official account of the fire. --Antara