Stove explosion kills housewife

JAKARTA (JP): A mother of two died yesterday of severe wounds she endured from a stove explosion in her Bekasi residence.

Muhaji, one of the victim's neighbors, said the incident happened on Jan. 27, when the victim, Sri Winarti, 27, was preparing a meal to break the family's fast.

"She lit the kerosene stove and then poured kerosene into its tank. The stove exploded suddenly," Muhaji said.

The incident reportedly was witnessed by the victim's youngest daughter.

Sri's face and the front part of her body were severely burned.

Her husband, Chumdori, a factory worker, was away at the time the incident happened, Muhaji said.

"Today he (Chumdori) still can't believe that his wife is dead," he said.

Nearby neighbors rushed the unconscious Sri to the Bekasi General Hospital for treatment soon after hearing cries from her daughter.

She was transferred to the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Central Jakarta as her condition worsened. (emf)