Dozens Of Traders Affected By Fires At The Manonda Market, West Palu

PALU - The Department of Industry and Trade (Disperindag) of Palu City said around 16 traders were affected by the Inpres Manonda market fire in West Palu District in the capital city of Central Sulawesi.

"From the results of our data collection, there were dozens of traders who were victims of the fire incident in the Manonda market area on Tuesday night," said Head of the Palu City Industry and Trade Office Zulkifli in Palu, Antara, Wednesday, July 23.

It was reported that around nine stalls and four shop houses (ruko) belonging to traders in the market were burned down, the fire occurred around 21.45 WITA and police reports that the fire was allegedly caused by a short circuit.

He stated that the Inpres Manonda market fire was a recurring event, so strong mitigation was needed in reducing the risk of non-natural disasters (fires).

"Traders who are victims of course lose property, we are also concerned about the fire incident that happened to them," he said.

From data from the Palu City Industry and Trade Department, around 16 market traders from Inpres Manonda were victims of the fire, the last fire incident in the area in 2020, had previously occurred in 2018, 2016, and 2015.

"The electricity connection in the stalls needs to be considered, if necessary, involve PLN officers to maintain security from the potential for short circuits," said Zulkifli.

He added that currently the Public Works Agency (PU) is assisting in cleaning up the debris of affected building materials with local traders.

"So far there has been no giant by the Palu City Government (Pemkot) over the fire incident," he said.