Fire razes dozens of houses in Balikpapan

BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan: Rolling blackouts have again been blamed for causing a fire in Balikpapan on Tuesday night.

At least 44 houses were razed by fire in Sidodadi subdistrict in west Balikpapan during blackouts in the city which started from 2 p.m. and lasted until around 9:30 p.m.

"The fire is suspected to have started from a candle lit during blackout," said Fahmi, a resident.

Balikpapan deputy mayor Rizal Effendi has visited location.

At the time of print no casualties have been reported in the fire. - JP