Fire burns shops in C. Jakarta

(JP/Indah Setiawati)

A fire gutted seven shops, including electronic and bicycle shops on Jl. Palmerah Barat, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday afternoon, causing bad traffic congestion in the area.

“A fire has affected at least seven shops, but that figure may grow,” an officer from the Tanah Abang precinct, Joko, told The Jakarta Post.

Eye witnesses said that a number of security officers from the Kompas Gramedia building, which is situated close to the shops, had been deployed to help put out the fire using fire hydrants.

Eight fire trucks arrived on the scene at 3 p.m.

Vehicles aiming to pass the street near the scene were asked to turn around.

No casualties have yet been reported. (nfo)