Fire razes houses near zoo

Fire razes houses near zoo

BANDUNG, West Java: A fire gutted at least 26 houses and more
than a dozen cars and motorcycles on Jl. Kebon Binatang yesterday
morning.

The fire is believed to have started from coal sparks at the
nearby sate food stall, adjacent to the zoo. The zoo reportedly
escaped damage.

Antara quoted several witnesses as saying that Agus Iwan at
the time was repairing his motorcycle close to the sate food
stall.

Sparks from the sate grill hit the motorcycle which had a
leaking gasoline tank.

As small bursts of flames leapt into the air, Iwan, in a state
of panic, immediately grabbed a bucket which he believed
contained water. He did not realize that the bucket was actually
filled with a mixture of oil and gasoline.

As a result, the fire caught on and the gasoline tank exploded
in a burst of flames.

Eleven fire engines rushed to the scene. They managed to put
out the fire only after it had razed several surrounding
buildings.

No casualties were reported in the incident. (mds)