Public art gallery burned

BANDUNG: An art gallery on Jl. Siliwangi caught on fire on Friday, but no fatalities were reported.

A witness said that the fire started in the gallery at 11.30 a.m and quickly spread to most parts of the gallery because the gallery is mostly made from wood.

Fire trucks were deployed to the scene and the fire was put out at 1 p.m. The public gallery is used by local artists to display their art works, including paintings, statues and art installation projects.

The fire came amid wide protests by artists over a plan by a private developer to build a condominium near the gallery. -- JP