Fire smokes clove warehouse

MANADO, North Sulawesi: Fire razed a warehouse belonging to a local cooperative agency, destroying more than three tons of clove on Friday, the Antara news agency reported on Saturday.

Director of the cooperative Errol Dendeng said there was something fishy in the incident. The fire occurred while the warehouse was locked and unused for two months and after the electricity had been turned off.

The police are still investigating the cause of the fire which caused an estimated Rp 13 billion (US$5.9 million) in damage, based on a Rp 4,000 per kilogram value for cloves and a building valued at more than Rp 100 million.

Errol said the fire, which lasted through Saturday afternoon, was the second in the last two months. The first occurred on Oct. 11, burning down 527 tons of clove. (imn)