Activists of this Muslim-based organization's disaster mitigation division established the command post to help those impacted by the fire that ravaged several hundred houses and public facilities.
Chairman of the Muhammadiyah-South Kalimantan Chapter Ginanjar Sutrisno stated here on Monday that the command post was part of the organization's "One More" (One Response, One Muhammadiyah) Program and would be operational from Nov 24 to Dec 1.
Related news: South Kalimantan's fire destroys hundreds of houses: military officer
Sutrisno called on donors, especially the Muhammadiyah cadres and Muslims throughout the province, to assist those in dire need by donating money or goods, such as staple foods, potable water, blankets, mats, diapers, and medicines.
The fire that ravaged the areas of Sungai Bali Village in Pulau Sebuku Sub-district on Saturday evening caused destruction to some 400 houses and left 1,800 people homeless.
The flames caused destruction to several hundred houses and public facilities, including houses of worship and a police dormitory, Commander of the Kotabaru 1004 Regional Military Command Lt Col Rony Fitriyanto stated.
However, no casualties resulted from the blaze, but it destroyed a backhoe of PT Silo that the rescue workers had used to save the survivors, Fitriyanto stated.
Fitriyanto remarked that his men deployed to help the fire-affected people offered humanitarian aid, emergency tents, public kitchen, and health service.
"Based on a preliminary report, some 400 houses got destroyed. As a result, 1,800 people become homeless," he remarked, adding that local government officials had arrived at the disaster zone to ensure that the affected people's basic needs were met.
Fire accidents continue to pose a grave threat to residents of several cities and towns throughout Indonesia.
In October, a fire blazed through some 40 semi-permanent homes in East Jakarta, resulting in the forced displacement of some 100 people.
The fire ravaged 40 homes located behind the Signature Park Apartment on MT Haryono Street in Cawang, East Jakarta, according to Head of the neighborhood association (RT) 05 Muhammad Yusuf.
As revealed by the healthy working lives' website, several common fire-related hazards include electricity, smoking, cooking, heating appliances, and combustible materials.
The causative factor related to electricity is, for instance, neglect or misusing wiring that may result in short circuits. Related news: Hundred displaced as fire conflagrates 40 homes in East Jakarta
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EDITED BY INE
Translator: Imam H, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
