Fire victims cry for help

JAKARTA (JP): More than 80 poor families living in the densely populated area of Krukut, West Jakarta, whose houses were gutted in a fire late on Thursday are desperately seeking help.

The neighborhood chief Wahyudi said that the victims, now accommodated at two neighboring mosques, hope that the city administration would provide them with a better shelter.

He said they had only received meals donated by neighboring residents.

"Despite there being no death toll in the fire, the victims have suffered enough physically. Half of them are kids," Wahyudi said.

Wahyudi said there was not much the families could do as they lost everything in the fire.

The fire is believed to have started from a burning candle which apparently fell on to the floor. The fire, which was extinguished within three hours by 19 fire engines, razed 54 houses. (01)