Johar Market, a traditional market in Semarang, Central Java, was devastated by a fire over the weekend.

Witnesses said the fire originated near bookstores on the second floor of the market at around 9 p.m. local time on Saturday. The fires quickly spread to other kiosks before engulfing the Yaik Market, located at the western side of Johar Market, they said.

Some 16 fire trucks and dozens of firefighters attempted to extinguish the flames, with dozens of police officers, soldiers and local people joining in the effort. The fire trucks, dispatched from fire departments in Semarang and surrounding areas such as Demak, Kendal, Kudus, and Pati, were fighting the flames until noon on Sunday.

Around 8,000 vendors lost their kiosks in the blaze, which reportedly inflicted billions of rupiah in losses. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Semarang Mayor Hendrar Prihadi held an emergency meeting near the market shortly after arriving at the market.

'€œWe have decided that the vendors will be temporarily relocated to the Rejomulyo hygienic market. For the time being, all of their goods and merchandise will be accommodated [sold] in the market,'€ he said.

Vendors in both the Johar and Yaik markets attempted to rescue their goods and merchandise as the fires raged, piling them along the street.

Hendrar said trucks from the Semarang administration, the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), police, military, and the Indonesian Navy would help vendors relocate to the Rejomulyo hygienic market.

'€œOur personnel have attempted to extinguish the fires and secure the location, especially to protect the goods and merchandise rescued from the kiosks,'€ said Semarang Police chief Sr. Comr. Burhanudin.

Police said they apprehended four individuals attempting to steal goods and merchandise from the burning markets. (ebf)

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