"According to witnesses, children were playing with firecrackers and throwing these around. Fire from these firecrackers then ignited a rug lying along the railway tracks," said Bekasi City Fire Department officer, Anton.
Anton informed that the fire was reported at 06.00 am and three units of fire trucks were immediately dispatched to the location.
Also, operations at the Jakarta-Bekasi Commuter Train Line were suspended from 06.00 am onwards, resulting in thousands of train passengers finding themselves stranded at Bekasi City Stations Jalan Ir H Juanda, East Bekasi.
"The train operations were suspended due to the fire since the signal cables at KM 22 + 9 were burnt. The traffic was suspended at 05.30 am," Anton stated.
Anton added that fire fighters took two and a half hours to extinguish the blaze.
"The situation in the surrounding areas returned to normal by around 08.00 pm. The commuter line was again active, ferrying people from the Bekasi City Station toward the Jakarta City Station. The goods train also started to operate," Officer Security (PKD) at the Cakung Station, L Samuel, informed.
Samuel added that Jakarta's Commuter Line was suspended keeping in mind the security of the passengers.
"We have reopened the damaged track as everything is under control and it is safe for the train to pass through," Samuel assured.
Currently, the fire incident is under investigation by the relevant officers.
Editor: Ade P Marboen
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
