Fire razes 3-storied building

JAKARTA (JP): A fire razed a three-storied building housing a small garment firm on Jl. Gunung Sahari in Central Jakarta on Wednesday.

"The total loss caused by the fire is being calculated," Central Jakarta Police Chief Lt. Col. Abubakar Nataprawira said, adding that some employees were questioned about the fire. No fatalities were reported.

Abubakar said the fire, which gutted the building owned by PT Duta Barudan, might have been caused by an electrical short- circuit.

An official at the Central Jakarta Police precinct who wished to remain anonymous said it was possible that the company had been illegally using the electricity.

Wati, one of workers, said the fire started about 11 a.m and lasted one hour.

Forty female workers who were sleeping on the building's third floor woke and ran out in panic, she said. Those who work until late at night normally sleep in a room on the third floor.

"We were working the night shift. We were asleep in the morning when the fire happened," another employee told the police.

Kuswarti, another employee, said she jumped from the third floor, injuring her left hand. She is now being treated at Husada hospital.

The fire, disrupting traffic for almost two hours, destroyed the building and many rolls of textile. (jun)