Fire razes Ajibarang market

PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): Hundreds of traders lost their sources of income after a fire razed about 900 kiosks at Ajibarang market here early on Wednesday.

Tito, a supervisor at the company which operates the market, said the cause of the fire remained unknown. Material losses are estimated to have reached Rp 1 billion as the fire destroyed merchandise.

Police and local traders denied speculation the fire was ignited by a short circuit or a stove explosion.

"There is no electricity line in the area affected by the fire," said Capt. Joko Purwanto, who heads the police investigation. (45)