Fire, the sixth in N. Jakarta this week, guts 100 houses

JAKARTA (JP): Another fire destroyed at least 100 shanty houses in the Pejagalan subdistrict, Penjaringan, North Jakarta, yesterday, the sixth fire in the mayoralty this week.

The fire is believed to have started in a vacant house.

Like the other fires which left thousands people homeless in Kelapa Gading, Penjaringan and Kali Baru, yesterday's fire started at about 11:00 a.m. gutting houses, whose owners were away for Idul Fitri.

No fatalities were reported.

The fire brigade put out the fire within an hour.

The Pejagalan subdistrict head said: "The fire fighters found it difficult to get into the houses to save the residents' belongings because the houses were all locked."

All the shanties were along the Muara Karang riverbanks, which are not recommended as a residential area.

"Those who want to rebuild must get a permit from the authority," said the subdistrict head, reported Antara yesterday.

On Tuesday two fires razed homes and wood stores on Jl. Pelabuhan Kalibaru, and Jl. Pegangsaan Dua, Kelapa Gading, in North Jakarta.

Most of the burned down shanties were empty as their owners were away celebrating Idul Fitri in their hometowns in Central and East Java.

Three days earlier at least 200 shanties on Jl. Pegangsaan Dua, Kelapa Gading were destroyed by fire.

Local authorities speculated that the fires started in the vacant houses due to electrical short circuits.

But residents believe 'official' arson was behind the fires.

North Jakarta Mayor Suprawito has denied the allegations. "How could the city administration inflict such losses on its own people?", he told Indosiar private TV station yesterday. (sur)