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)