Thousands left homeless

BANJARMASIN, S. Kalimantan: Thousands of the city's residents were left homeless Saturday following a fire that swept through several neighborhoods here, Antara reported yesterday.

The blaze spread rapidly for about three hours in eastern and central Banjarmasin in what local officials called the largest fire of the year in the province.

They said the fire probably started in a house at around 3:15 p.m. and quickly spread to neighboring properties.

No casualties have been reported but an investigation is underway. The fire is the fourth to have been reported in the area this month, according to Antara. (swe)