Inmate killed in fire

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: A prisoner identified as Ambo Aseng was killed when fire ravaged a local penitentiary here on Saturday. One of two fire engines was burned along with the building.

The charred body of Aseng, 50, was found in his ruined cell, police said.

Deputy chief of the provincial police Col. Djuned Akhmad told Antara that none of the remaining 223 inmates fled during the fire. They have been moved to local police cells.

Dozens of police were called to safeguard the prison and prevent any of the inmates from attempting a jail break. Some warning shots were fired.

Witnesses said the fire started at the penitentiary at 5:30 a.m. Central Indonesia Time. There has been no official statement about the cause of the fire, but police said they were questioning some wardens and prisoners who were placed in cells No. 4 and No. 7.

Rescue workers found three inmates clinging to a flag pole in the middle of the prison yard after the fire had been extinguished. One of them was overcome with smoke and fell unconscious. A medical team rushed him to Bhayangkara Police Hospital.