Batam fire claims child’s life

A blaze in a densely-populated neighborhood of Batam, Riau, on Tuesday claimed a life of an eight-year-old child.

The child was trapped in a house when the flames razed Seraya Atas village, Antara news agency reported.

“The child might have been in bed when the fire hit his house," an unidentified witness said.

After extinguishing the fire around 9 a.m., firefighters took the child’s remains to Batam Otorita hospital for an autopsy.

Batam government spokesperson Ardi Winata said the administration had built tents near the scene to accommodate around 200 displaced residents. The shelters were equipped with a public kitchen and beds.

The government has also provided clothes and other basic needs for the next three days.

Several witnesses have said that the fire started in a house, which was intentionally set alight by the owner’s relative. Police are still investigating the accident. (yps/swd)