Nine shops explode in S. Kalimantan

An explosion and fire razed nine shops on Sunday afternoon in Lontar village of Pulau Laut Barat, South Kalimantan.

No casualties were reported, but the damages may have been worth Rp 150 million (US$16,574), a police officer said.

Kotabaru Police deputy chief Comr. Joko Sulistiyo said the first explosion was heard from a shop owned by Hasan at around 12 p.m. local time. A fire broke out shortly afterwards, and rapidly engulfed eight other shops nearby.

Assisted by local residents, firemen had extinguished the blaze by 1.45 p.m., Joko said as quoted by kompas.com.

As of Sunday, police were still investigating the cause of the explosion.

Lontar village is situated around 90 kilometers south of Kotabaru regency.