Man dies in fire

PALANGKA RAYA, Central Kalimantan: Fire gutted hundreds of houses, a hotel and a motel in the densely populated Pahandut district yesterday morning.

Antara reported the fire razed the houses and buildings on Jl. Halmahera and Jl. Jawa. Husaini, a 40-year-old resident, fell from the roof of one of the buildings.

The fire, which started just before 11 a.m., was contained three hours later.

The news agency said about 500 families had become homeless and several people were injured. (swe)