Fire razes part of shopping center

Fire razes part of shopping center

JAKARTA (JP): A fire razed hundreds of shops and offices at
the crowded Senen shopping center in Central Jakarta yesterday,
causing an estimated loss of billions of rupiahs.

No fatalities were reported in the fire which lasted from
shortly after Friday midnight to Saturday evening.

But witnesses feared two shop owners who tried to evacuate
their merchandises were killed in the fire.

As of late yesterday, the fate of the two people remained
unknown. The estimated number of destroyed shops and other
facilities located in Block 4 and 5 of the market is 750 units.

Among them were the Ramayana Department Store, Duta Theatre,
Mitra Cahaya, Bank Danamon, Bank Jaya, and stores selling
electronic goods.

Authorities said they are still investigating the cause of the
fire that burned two of the six blocks of the shopping center.

The fire is believed to be among the worst after six earlier
fires since 1974.

Based on experience and witnesses' accounts, police and
firefighters believe the flame was caused by a short circuit at
Block 4 which later spread to Block 5.

Both blocks are managed by the city-owned property firm, PT
Pembangunan Jaya. Other parts of the market are managed by the
city-owned market firm PD Pasar Jaya.

Witnesses said the flare at two of the six blocks of the
shopping center was first seen around midnight from a movie
theater.

About 250 firefighters and 30 fire engines were deployed to
the scene but were hampered by the market's fire safety system.

Chief of the Jakarta Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Suharso, said
a major constraint was also the various types of rolling doors of
the shops, besides the narrow alleys.

"Worst, the thick smoke coming from burning material, such as
oil and furniture, made us difficult to pass through the
buildings," Suharso said.

As of yesterday evening, thick smoke still surrounded the
razed buildings.

Ten people, including the shopping center's security guards
have been questioned, according to head of the Central Jakarta
Police Lt.Col. M. Ibrahim.

An executive from PT Jaya Real Property, which rented the
building spaces, said there were 300 kiosks rented in the four-
story Block 4 building and 900 units in the eight-story Block 5.

The two blocks are popular as the one of the largest centers
for automobile services, spareparts and accessories. Other items
sold here are electronic goods, textile, jewelry and furniture.

Hundreds of police and military personnel were ordered to
secure the arena as many shopowners as well as strangers were
trying to get into the ravaged buildings, where police forensic
experts were collecting evidence.

Shopowners said most of them have not insured their
merchandises.

The buildings, however, have been insured, said Tanto
Kurniawan from PT Pembangunan Jaya, the management of the
shopping center.

Since 1977 four fires destroyed the Inpres Senen Market alone.
The Inpres market housing more than 2,000 kiosks is part of the
Senen market, set up to accommodate street traders who cannot
afford expensive market rents. (bsr/07)