Raging Fires In Bearland Residences Render 1,233 People Homeless

Jakarta, Oct 15 (Antara) - The fires raging in the densely populated Bearland Residences in Kebon Manggis Village, East Jakarta, on Tuesday (Oct. 14), ravaged hundreds of homes and caused 1,233 people to flee. "At least 267 houses of 495 residents were burnt down and caused a total of 1,233 people to lose their homes," Kebon Manggis Village`s Head, Zainul Arifin, stated here on Tuesday night (Oct. 14). Zainul revealed that the 267 houses destroyed by the fire were located in four different areas and led to material losses amounting to billions of rupiah. Currently, the victims need logistic support such as baby food, formula milk, clean water, clothing, blankets, mattresses, and women sanitary pads. The fires, which started in Bearland Residences on Tuesday at around 2:30 p.m. local time, were extinguished after three hours. The Fire Brigade Department had sent 36 water trucks to East, North, and Central Jakarta. However, the cause of the fires had yet to be confirmed as the East Jakarta police`s investigation is still ongoing. "For the meantime, they (police) suspect that the fires occurred due to an electrical short circuit in a house at the Bearland Residences, presumably in the 18th and 25th neighborhood," Zainul reported.