Fires destroy houses at Angke

JAKARTA (JP): A fire destroyed 22 houses on Jl. Tubagus Angke, West Jakarta, yesterday, leaving some 60 people homeless, a firefighter said.

No injuries were reported. Losses are estimated to reach Rp 300 million, West Jakarta Fire Department chief Syamsir Makmur said.

He said 25 fire engines were deployed to extinguish the fire, which started at 10:25 a.m. It took firefighters three hours to put out the fire.

"We had difficulty getting water so we took it from Angke River, which is located quite far away," he said.

"We believe an electrical short circuit was the cause of the fire."

Some residents tried to save their belongings and later took shelter in a nearby mosque and the subdistrict office, Syamsir added.

On Monday, 550 houses were destroyed on Jl. Garuda Ujung, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, leaving over 550 people homeless. On the same day, another fire occurred on Jl. Kebon Jahe II, also in Central Jakarta.

Jakarta Fire Department records reveal that 215 fires occurred in the city over the first four months of this year. (edt)