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Jakarta Post

Gate 'wide open' during Tangerang factory blaze: Police

News Desk (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Fri, October 27, 2017

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Gate 'wide open' during Tangerang factory blaze: Police An aerial view taken on Thursday shows residents gathering outside the perimeter of the damaged fireworks factory in Kosambi, Tangerang. The inferno killed 47 factory employees and injured 46 others. (Warta Kota/Alex Suban)

T

he Tangerang Police have denied reports that the fireworks factory in Kosambi, Tangerang, was locked during the fire on Thursday morning that caused the deaths of 47 employees and injured 46 others.

Based on their questioning of four witnesses, Tangerang Police Chief Sr. Comr. Harry Kurniawan said some employees had managed to save themselves by escaping through the main gate.  

"Some live witnesses we questioned said [the factory workers] saved themselves through the main gate. When the accident occurred, the gate was wide open," Harry said as quoted by tribunnews.com on Friday.. 

Harry said other victims could not reach the main gate, as they were trapped by the fire. 

Still other factory workers managed to escape with the help of police and local residents, who broke down part of the factory's wall after hearing their cries for help. 

Harry said the police were still investigating to identify the party that should be held responsible for the fatal blaze.

The police have questioned the factory owner, Indra Liyono, and several witnesses at Jakarta Police headquarters. (cal)

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