Market Fire in Paniai, Central Papua, Kills 11 People

A fire destroyed dozens of buildings at the market in Bapouda Village, East Paniai District, Central Papua Province. Eleven people were reported dead in the incident.

Police are still investigating the fire at the market area of Bapouda Village, East Paniai District, Central Papua Province, which killed five adults and six children.

Head of Public Information at the Central Papua Regional Police, Commissioner Henry J Manurung, speaking in Nabire, said the fire broke out on Monday (7/9) at around 00:25 local time (WIT) and quickly spread to adjacent kiosks, destroying around 40 buildings.

“The fire in the market area of Bapouda Village, East Paniai District, resulted in dozens of houses being burned and 11 people losing their lives,” he said, as quoted by Antara.

He said all the victims had been evacuated to Paniai Regional General Hospital for further treatment.

Of the 11 victims, five were adults: Na (70), Wa (36), Ha (30), RF (28), and He (30), while the other six were children: As (9), Ab (6), Ad (5), Ar (9), Ic (6), and AY (2).

Police deployed one tactical water-spraying vehicle to help extinguish the flames. The blaze was brought under control at around 03:30 WIT.

“The size of the flames and the fact that the buildings were packed closely together meant the extinguishing process took quite a long time,” he said.

After the fire was put out, officers inspected the burned shop-houses and found the 11 victims dead with burn injuries.

Henry said the exact cause of the fire was not yet known. Police were still gathering witness statements and examining the scene.

“The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation. We are still collecting statements from witnesses and carrying out an examination of the scene,” he said.