Fire victims request more aid

Fire victims in Utan Panjang district, Kemayoran in Central Jakarta, as seen in the photo, are in need of clothes and temporary shelters.

Many of the fire victims have had to sleep in the alleys of the district as the eight temporary shelters were not enough to accommodate the 120 families who lost their homes in the large residential fire on Saturday morning.

Sutiyono, 40, who lost his home during the blaze, said that temporary shelters were needed to enable them to escape from the rain. "I wonder what we will do if it rains when we sleep."

One community leader, Yanti, said the Indonesian Red Cross had been running three public kitchens to help the fire victims, but they were scheduled to be closed on Tuesday night unless the Jakarta administration asks for another three-day extension.

She added that tents, sleeping-mats and blankets were among the most crucial items. The women in the community have also indicated that they desperately need more female oriented items, such as underwear, bras and sanitary napkins.

The fire killed an elderly woman Tarmini, along with two young children. One man was injured while trying to help others and is now in the hospital.(005)