The building housed the offices of eight government agencies, including the regional offices of the State Audit Board (BPK), the National Archive Agency, the National Narcotics Agency (BIN), and the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBN) as well as the representative office of the United Nations Children`s Fund (UNICEF).
The fire ravaged the second and third floors following a large explosion at the BPK office`s voltage regulator, eyewitness Vikard who is also the BPK`s security guard said.
East Nusa Tenggara Governor Frans Lebu Raya who came to the scene one hour after the flame had razed the historical building said he was disappointed at the belated arrival of fire engines to put out the blaze.
"I had to ask for assistance from military and police firefighters because fire engines of the regional government came there too late," he said. There was no immediate report of material losses caused by the fire.
"I ask police to investigate the case to establish the exact cause of the fire," East Nusa Tenggara Vice Governor Esthon L Foenay said.
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Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
