Hundreds of shops gutted in fire

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: Fire destroyed more than 700 shops and houses in Pasar Minggu market, Kampung Baru village, Batulicin district late Sunday.

Batulicin district chief Abd. Kadir Jailani told Antara in Batulicin, some 245 kilometers east of here, the fire was the second this year. The first, in March, destroyed 600 houses, 100 shops, offices and a motel. Approximately 3,000 people were left homeless in the disaster.

The district chief said fire spread rapidly through the buildings because they were built from boards, and because there were only two fire trucks.

No casualties were reported and police are investigating the incident. (swe)