Fire razes Solok market

PADANG, West Sumatra: Fire raged through a market in Solok mayoralty late Tuesday, razing 96 shops and 14 kiosks. No fatalities were reported in the incident, but material losses were estimated at Rp 50 billion (US$5.9 million).

The fire is thought to have originated in a shop in the middle of the market, from where it quickly spread to other shops and kiosks. Most of the traders had already gone home for the night.

Solok is located some 70 kilometers east of Padang, the capital of West Sumatra. It has a population of 55,000.

West Sumatra provincial administration spokesman Yuen Karnova said the government would locate temporary shelter to accommodate the traders. -- JP