Young boy killed, 240 families homeless in Pejompongan fire
Young boy killed, 240 families homeless in Pejompongan fire
JAKARTA (JP): An eight-year-old boy was killed and around 240
families were rendered homeless when a fire, believed to have
been caused by a candle, razed a slum area in Pejompongan,
Central Jakarta.
The area, home of around 2,000 people, went up in flames on
Friday evening. The blaze started at around 11 p.m. at the second
floor of a house at the densely populated area.
Police have questioned four witnesses in connection with the
fire.
"We're still looking for the owner of the house," City Police
spokesman Lt. Col. A. Latief Rabar told reporters Saturday.
The boy, identified as Supriyanto, is a second grade student
of a junior high school. He is believed to have been trapped in
the midst of the flame while sleeping. Sources said that his
mother and grandmother, who lived together with him, rushed
outside quickly and got panic as the fire spread very quickly due
to the strong wind.
A total of 19 fire engines from the fire brigade struggled for
about four hours to put out the blaze.
No electricity
Based on the police tentative investigation, Latief said the
house at which the fire believed to have started had no
electricity since a few months ago.
"Perhaps, the installation had been cut by the state
electricity company because the owner could not afford to pay the
bill," he said.
Latief quoted the four witnesses as saying that there has been
a strong indication that the flame was caused by the burning
candle on the second floor of the house.
Ating Haryono, a staff of the Pejompongan subdistrict
administration, said that his office was still estimating the
amount of the material losses incurred.
He said that some of the fire victims have sought help from
relatives to accommodate them while others were hoping for the
authority's help.
"I have nothing left because all my belongings, including my
small cigarette kiosk, have been razed by the fire," said Rusiati
Matalkha. "Now, I'm not able to go anywhere as I have not even a
cent in my pocket," he added.
According to Ating, the Indonesian Red Cross, the city social
service office have distributed cooking facilities and food stuff
such as rice, instant noodles, eggs, cooking oil and coffee to
the victims.
Meanwhile, Pejompongan district chief Haris Harahap, said that
the city administration office has pledged to allocate some money
to rent house for the victims.
He added that the city has asked them not to rebuild their
houses before it gives its approval.
The fire location is located adjacent to a low-class
prostitution area, widely known as Pejompongan Indah red light
district. (03/bsr)