Frequent fires destroy homes

Frequent fires destroy homes

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: Eighty-five fires have occurred
in residential areas in the last six months in the province,
resulting in nearly 2,000 families losing their homes.

"Out of the 85 cases, 40 of them occurred in Banjarmasin,"
said Doyo Pudjadi, head of the provincial disaster relief office.

He said September and October had the highest number of fires
with 17 and 10 respectively.

Doyo said the fires have caused Rp 14.9 billion (US$4.3
million) in losses.

"The frequency of the fires is caused by the fact that houses
are located in close proximity to each other so fires spread
quickly and the fact that most of them are made of wood," Doyo
explained as quoted by Antara.