Market fire causes Rp 5b loss

PURWOKERTO, Central Java: The total financial loss resulting from a fire in Ajibarang market has been estimated at Rp 5 billion, police said on Friday.

Banyumas Police chief of detectives Capt. Joko Purwanto told The Jakarta Post that his office recorded at least 900 kiosks destroyed in Wednesday's fire.

He said the police were still investigating the cause of the fire.

Meanwhile, hundreds of vendors who used to sell their goods at the market urged the local administration to help them apply for soft loans, following the fire which burned down the traditional market last Wednesday.

Rumors claim the market, which was built three years ago, was burned down on purpose. The market caught fire after the police had just raided a nearby gambling den. (45/01)