Fire razes 145 houses

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Nearly 1,000 people were left homeless by a fire which razed 145 houses in Tarakan, a city northeast of here, on Monday night, Antara reported yesterday.

There were no casualties in the fire in the fishing village of Jembatan Besi, although the fire left 138 families or 956 people without homes.

Several sampans and motor boats belonging to the residents were also destroyed by the fire, Lt. Col. Simandjuntak, head of the security agency in Tarakan, said.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire may have been started from a gas stove that exploded, he said. The owner of the house in question is now helping the police with their enquiry. (emb)