"Fire began on the 11th floor of the building."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - A certain part of the 20 storey Wisma Antara at downtown Jakarta where ANTARA News Agency is headquartered was gutted by fire on Monday afternoon and fortunately firefighters could quickly control and put out the fire, an official said.
"Fire began on the 11th floor of the building, but we`ve controlled it now, what is left just the thick smokes sneaking from the source and hampering the work of firefighters," Central Jakarta Fire Fighting Division head Hariyadich told ANTARA News, Monday evening.
Hariyadich said he had dispatched 14 fire trucks and 84 firefighters to put out the fire that started at 16.35 hours Monday afternoon. Fire could be controlled and put out about an hour later.
Despite the fire has been put out, and firefighters have been able to locate the source of the fire, the causes of the fire have not been identified, he said.
Data from PT ANPA, the operator of the building, showed that there are important tenants using the floors of the building such as telecommunication company Indosat and Telekomsel in addition to state-owned news agency ANTARA. The building is occupied by about 5,000 people on daily basis.
Despite causing panics at the first stage of the fire, ANTARA`s editorial operation has not totally disrupted as some technicians, Purnomo and Firman, chose to remain at his post, making sure that ANTARA`s computer system was operational.
The fire has caused massive traffic jam in the streets around the building, a customary spot of traffic jam in Central Jakarta area close to several important buildings, including the office of state-owned corporation ministry (BUMN), Jakarta Town Hall, Vice-Presidential palace and the embassy of the United States.
No casualties were reported until this story was filed and disseminated.
(T.KR-VFT/E002)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
