A fire broke out early morning at Pasar Senen market complex, Central Jakarta on Thursday, burning dozens of shops.
The fire reportedly began at around 04.20 a.m. from Block IIIs third floor, but authorities havent been able to determine the exact location.
By 07.15 a.m., forty-two trucks had been deployed but the fire was still burning.
Thick smoke was visible from South Jakarta and Central Jakarta.
We are confident that we can put down the fire as long as we have stable water supply, Subejo, head of Jakartas Fire Mitigation Agency, said in a televised report.
We hope theres no casualty, he added.
Police had been ushering shop owners, workers and visitors out of the burning location, but some of them still tried to go inside to save their goods and documents.
Some shop owners ran inside to save their goods. Weve been trying to stop them, but we have limited personnel, so we cant control everyone, Liliek Lestari of Jakarta Police said. We have been warning them. Its dangerous!
The incident disrupted morning traffic in the area and traffic wards were sent to handle the situation.
Pasar Senen is one of Jakartas oldest and biggest traditional markets. The market specialises in secondhand goods, auto spare parts, clothes, cakes, and electronics.
(brl/red)
