Fires damage shopping malls

BANDUNG: Separate fires occurred in two shopping malls here on Thursday and Friday, causing hundreds of million of rupiah in damages.

No fatalities were reported in the incidents.

Friday's blaze gutted six kiosks owned by garment businessman Erwin on the third floor of Pasar Baru Mall on Jl. Oto Iskandar Dinata at about 7:45 a.m. on Friday.

Nine fire engines managed to put out the fire a couple of hours later.

Another fire gutted the third and fourth floors of Parahyangan Plaza on Jl. Dalem Kaum at around 8:30 p.m. on Thursday.

"The fire originated in the Amigo restaurant on the third story and quickly spread to the fourth floor," said Akhyar, 28, an eyewitness.

The head of Bandung Fire Department, Tumpal Sirait said that the two buildings had inferior fire safety systems and lacked fire extinguishers. "We will recommend that Bandung Mayor Aa Tarmana suspend the operation of the Parahyangan Plaza for lacking standard fire safety equipment."

Two security guards were being questioned by Bandung Police in relation to the fire at Parahyangan Plaza. (25/edt)