Rp 3b went up in flames

DENPASAR: The 85 fires in the city last year caused losses estimated at Rp 3.1 billion (US$1.3 million), Mayor Made Suwendha said yesterday.

In 1995, the authorities listed 67 fires that caused losses of about Rp 2 billion.

Suwendha was quoted by Antara as saying that negligence and electrical short circuits were the most common causes of the disasters.

He said efforts to contain fires were often hindered by technical problems due to the age and inadequacies of the fire engines. (pan)