Fire razes 16 market stalls

BOGOR: At least 16 stalls in Gobang traditional market in Rumpin district, Bogor regency, caught fire at around 10:30 p.m, on Thursday and were burned to the ground.

No fatalities were reported but material losses were estimated at Rp 250 million (US$29,411.77).

Rumpin Police deputy chief, Second Insp. Agus Hidayat, said on Friday that the fire allegedly started from a staple-food stall owned by Zainudi Saputra.

Those at the scene tried to extinguish the fire but to no avail. Firefighters arrived at the location in six fire trucks 30 minutes later, but the fire had already spread to the other stalls and took two hours to extinguish.

Agus said that police had sealed an electronic meter and wires from Zainudin's kiosk as they alleged the fire was caused by a short circuit. -- JP