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.