One dies in fire in N. Jakarta

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sat, 01/21/2012 12:31 PM


Hundreds of houses in a densely populated area of Ancol, Pademangan, in North Jakarta were razed by fire early Saturday. One resident reportedly died, while four others were injured in the inferno.

The dead victim, identified as Kastri, 70, was taken to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, while injured residents -- Musa, 44, Dani, 38, Erda, 30, and Tri, 20 -- were treated at Sulianti Saroso Hospital, said Jauhari, a staffer with the North Jakarta fire department, as reported by tempo.co.

Twenty-five fire engines were deployed to extinguish the blaze.

“We got the report at 11:30 p.m. on Friday and extinguished the fire by 3:50 a.m.[on Saturday],” he said.

He added that most people were asleep when the fire broke out.

Jauhari said the fire spread rapidly because the houses were built of wood and their density hampered firefighters’ efforts. (ira)