Fire in Papua Claims Lives of 11 People

September 7, Jayapura (Indonesia) (RAS/RIA Novosti). A fire that broke out on Monday in Indonesia’s eastern Papua region has resulted in the deaths of 11 people, including six children. The fire began shortly after midnight in the town of Paniai in Central Papua province and rapidly spread, destroying at least 40 shops, kiosks, and homes. According to local police spokesman Henry J. Manurungka, among the deceased were five adults and six children. The children who died were between two and nine years old.

The fire took more than three hours to bring under control with the deployment of fire brigades and water tank vehicles. Authorities reported difficulties in containing the blaze because the houses and shops were closely situated. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and officials are conducting an investigation. Indonesia has experienced other deadly fires in the past; notably, in December last year, a fire in the Satetle office building in Jakarta claimed 22 lives.