The Jakarta Globe, August 22, 2012
After yesterdays fire in Pondok Bambu, East Jakarta which destroyed some 150 homes and workshops, another massive blaze devoured hundreds of houses in the densely populated neighborhood of Kapuk Muara, in Penjaringan North Jakarta on Wednesday morning.
Paimin Napitupulu, head of Jakarta’s fire and disaster response agency, said that around 300 people lost their homes, causing a material loss equal to Rp 1.5 billion ($157,500).
Wednesday’s blaze started sweeping through the neighborhood from 9:30 a.m. — 26 firetrucks were dispatched to the scene, and the fire was extinguished some three hours later at 12:05 p.m.
“We’re investigating the cause of the fire,” Paimin said. “But usually the main cause is an electrical short circuit.”
Paimin reminded Jakartans to avoid stacking electrical plugs into sockets, or unplugging electrical devices when leaving for several days, such as during the Idul Fitri exodus. “We have already informed people . . . to ask their neighbors to watch over their houses. This is to anticipate fire.”
The North Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) and the of North Jakarta Social Agency have tried to help victims by providing medical treatment and food supplies.
wo 22 aug 2012 - 17:19