Ship bursts into flames

JAKARTA (JP): A cargo ship burst into flames while being repaired at a dockyard in Tanjung Priok seaport, North Jakarta yesterday. No fatalities were reported.

Sumadyo, a firefighter from the North Jakarta Fire Department, said the fire, which started at 1:35 p.m., caused an estimated Rp 200 million (US$83,333) in material losses.

"The fire was probably caused by an electrical short in the ship, while the ship was loading fuel," he said.

He said the fire department deployed five fire trucks and extinguished the fire on the ship, the Wakeke, at 4:20 p.m.

Meanwhile, Reuters quoted a port official who said tugs towed the 2,566-metric-ton ship, owned by PT Pejaka, away from the docks in Tanjung Priok port.

The ship is now at a place where it will not disturb port traffic, the official said.

"There was one explosion, but we've had no reports yet of anyone being injured by the blast or the fire," he said. (jun)