Hanura Faction Room In Batam DPRD Burns, Secretary: Estimated Due To Short Circuit

Fire at DPRD Batam, Tuesday. (ANTARA/Naim)

BATAM - The fire that broke out in the Hanura Fraction Room, DPRD Building in Batam City, Riau Islands, Tuesday, January 11, is thought to have been caused by an electrical short circuit.

"It is estimated that there was a short circuit," said Batam DPRD Secretary Aspawi as quoted by Antara.

The fire caused the Hanura faction of the Batam DPRD to scorch.

He said his party had saved a number of archives and computers in the room.

"We have not been able to estimate the amount of loss. Thank God there were no casualties," he said.

He said the fire began to be seen around 11.00 WIB and could be controlled by Satpol PP officers in about 20 minutes using hydrants located around the people's representative building.

"All of the Satpol PP friends who are at the posts in the DPRD immediately respond to the fire. We appreciate the work of your friends," he said.

He explained that four fire engines arrived just moments after the fire was brought under control by the Satpol PP officers.

"It's not too late either, because the distance from their post is relatively far," he said.

Meanwhile, eye witness Habibie stated that initially an officer in the Hanura Faction shouted "fire". He, who was in the press room across from the incident room, immediately tried to save himself.

"We immediately went outside, the fire was still small," said Habibie, a woman who works as a journalist.

The fire continued to grow, until black flames shot out from the second floor and the VFD Faction room which was next to the Hanura Faction.

Thankfully, he said, the PKS Faction's room did not catch fire, it was only surrounded by black smoke.

He and several of his friends helped the PP Satpol to put out the fire so that it could be controlled before the fire spread.