Forensic agency probes the Ancol fire
Forensic agency probes the Ancol fire
JAKARTA (JP): A team from the National Police Forensic Laboratory Center is investigating the cause of the fire that gutted the Mystery Castle in the Fantasy Land complex at Ancol Dreamland recreation center in North Jakarta last Sunday night.
Lt. Col. Edi Darnadi, the North Jakarta police chief, told The Jakarta Post yesterday that the team, which has been at the fire site since Tuesday, would be collecting and carefully examining all material in order to discover the real cause of the blaze.
"No conclusion has been reached as yet. The team is still working on it," Edi said.
The fire, which occurred on Sunday night, the third day of the Moslem holiday of Idul Fitri, caused millions of dollars in material losses.
According to Edi, police have not yet nabbed a single suspect. Nor have they seized a single piece of evidence in relation to the blaze.
"The two suspects who were turned in to the local security office were not identified by the on-duty guards," Edi said.
Therefore, he said, the forensic team is needed to seek evidence which will allow the cause of the fire to be ascertained.
Earlier, security guards at the recreation center quoted unidentified witnesses as saying that the fire had been lit by two matches ignited by two young visitors, who had been playing with matches inside the dimly lit castle.
"But how can we arrest the two teenagers if they say they had no matches and know nothing about the blaze?," Edi asked.
The fire broke out at 8:55 p.m. on Sunday while the last group of about 20 people visiting the castle were still inside.
Edi earlier suspected foul play in the fire.
"I don't rule out the possibility of arson committed for the insurance money," he said.
When contacted by the Post yesterday, none of the officers at the recreation center were willing to comment on the fire.
A total of 12 witnesses have given accounts to the police.
"None of them was able to bring our investigation to a conclusion," he said. (bsr)