Tankers called in to put out fire

PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: A flash fire razed at least 300 houses along the Musi river in Bagus Kuning, Plaju Ulu subdistrict, Palembang, early on Tuesday, causing billions of rupiah of material losses.

The fire was put out only after the city administration had deployed 13 tankers and a ship to the scene.

Palembang Mayor Husni and Police chief Sr. Comr. Sutarman were present at the scene to coordinate with the city's fire brigade to extinguish the fire.

No casualties were reported, but hundreds of families were evacuated to makeshift accommodation at several locations in the city.

The cause of the fire has not been established.

Another fire occurred at Ilir Timur II Subdistrict in the city on Sept. 22, 2002, and destroyed more than 160 houses.

In August, some 47 people were killed in a fire that razed an entertainment center in the city. --Antara