He said they were forced to evacuate during the past few days because the haze has affected them and the fire has almost reached their residential areas.
"The 276 householders are being evacuated since last several days," Sofyan said.
The fire was triggered by a land owner along with four other persons who burned 60 hectares of the peat land in Rokan Hilir District that caused emergency condition as thick smog covers the area.
Police informed the land owner, named Hotman Burpa, has ordered four persons; Katiman, Suhadi, Riza and Bobi, to burn the 60 hectares land.
"We have detained the five arsonists and are currently being interrogated in Rokan Hilir Resort Police," said Sofyan.
Police said the fire started when the land owner burned the 60 hectares of land and spread to other land.
The fire spread quickly after wind blew heavily and burned more than 400 hectares of land.
Resident near the location forced to take evacuation effort as the fire come near to the residences and also generate thick smog.
According to National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) the peat land fire has occurred in Rokan Hilir District since last week.
"The fire has caused several people to evacuate and the total persons who conduct evacuation effort keep increasing," Sofyan said.
The incident has also interfered flight schedule in Sultan Kasim Airport of Pekanbaru, Riau Province as the thick smog decreasing visibility range.
Previously on Monday the visibility range in the airport at 06.00 am local time reached 2,000 meters and decreasing to 1,200 meters at 06.30 am.
The airport officer announced visibility range was not safe for the flight as smog covers the area and decreasing the visibility to 700 to 800 meters at 07.00 to 08.00 am local time.
(B019/O001)
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
