The North Sumatra Police, investigating a nightclub fire that left 20 people dead, placed three suspects in custody Saturday.
The provincial police chief detective, Sr. Comr. Agus Andrianto, said the M-City entertainment center's general manager, a supervisor and another employee, none of whom was named, were undergoing intensive questioning in connection with the fatal blaze.
Agus said preliminary investigations pointed to negligence being the cause of the fire. If found responsible for a negligent act causing death or injury, the sus-pects could face five-year prison sentences.
"That night the employee had been asked by the supervisor to trim carpeting on the third floor of the building. Instead of using a cutter, the employee attempted to melt through the rug with a cigarette lighter," Agus said.
The police cite the manager's failure to supervise his workers as a reason to detain him. "He should not have allowed his staff to conduct renovation work during peak hours," Agus said.
The employee admitted to setting the rug on fire. "It was an accident. I did not think it could lead to a blaze. I'm very sorry," he said.
Most of the dead were found in the locked karaoke lounges on the third floor with severe burns.
One survivor, Edi Syahputera, a chef at the nightclub, said many were trampled when rushing down the emergency stairs.
"It was dark as the power was cut off. I fell on the stairs and was trampled on, but managed to get back up on my feet and leave the building," Edi said.
He added he was cooking on the third floor and realized there was a fire only after being told by a waitress.
He added he had to brave the fire to reach thxe emergency stairs, suffering burns on his arms, ears and neck in the process.
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